New Zealand Mint Silver Lunar Coin Series

New Zealand Mint Lunar Silver Coins

The New Zealand Mint produced a popular series of silver coins called the "Lunar Coin Series." This series was inspired by the Chinese zodiac and featured beautiful designs corresponding to the animals of the lunar calendar. The Chinese zodiac is a cycle of 12 years, with each year associated with a specific animal sign.

The Lunar Coin Series from the New Zealand Mint typically included the following key features:

• Silver Content: The coins were minted in various sizes, with the most common being 1 oz of .999 fine silver. Other sizes, such as 1/2 oz, 2 oz, and 5 oz, were also produced to cater to different preferences and budgets.
• Chinese Zodiac Designs: Each coin in the series showcased a unique design depicting the animal of the Chinese zodiac associated with that particular lunar year. For example, the Year of the Rat, Year of the Ox, Year of the Tiger, and so on.
• Limited Mintage: These coins were often released with limited mintages, adding to their collectible value. Limited availability can make them more sought after by collectors and investors.
• Legal Tender: The Lunar Coin Series coins issued by the New Zealand Mint were typically legal tender in Niue, a small Pacific island nation that had a long-standing relationship with the New Zealand Mint for producing commemorative coins. The coins can be used according to their legal tender or sold based on the silver spot price.
• Packaging and Certificates: The coins were often packaged in protective capsules to preserve their quality, and they came with certificates of authenticity, providing information about the coin's specifications and confirming its limited mintage.

The New Zealand Mint is known for producing high-quality coins, and the Lunar Coin Series has been appreciated by both collectors and investors around the world due to its unique designs and limited availability.

Chinese Zodiac Calendar

The Chinese Zodiac Calendar is a traditional astrological system that plays a significant role in Chinese culture and is based on a 12-year cycle. Each year in the cycle is associated with a specific animal sign, as well as one of the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, or water). The combination of the animal sign and the element creates a 60-year cycle, making it a unique and complex system.

The 12 Chinese Zodiac animal signs, in order, are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit (or Hare), Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat (or Sheep), Monkey, Rooster (or Chicken), Dog, and Pig (or Boar).

The origins of the Chinese Zodiac are believed to date back over 2,000 years, and the system has deep cultural and mythological significance. According to legend, the Jade Emperor organized a race among the animals to decide their positions in the zodiac. The order in which the animals finished the race determined the sequence of the zodiac signs.

The Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival in Chinese culture, and it marks the beginning of the new lunar year according to the Chinese Zodiac Calendar. The date of the Lunar New Year varies each year, typically falling between January 21st and February 20th of the Gregorian calendar. It is celebrated by millions of people of Chinese descent all around the world.

Preparations for the Lunar New Year usually start well in advance, with families cleaning their homes to sweep away bad luck and make way for good fortune. They also decorate their houses with red lanterns and other auspicious symbols. The color red is considered lucky and is used extensively during the celebrations.

During the Lunar New Year, families come together for reunion dinners, and various traditional customs and activities are observed, such as giving red envelopes (hongbao) containing money to children and unmarried individuals as a symbol of good luck and blessings. Lion and dragon dances, firecrackers, and other festivities are also common during this time.

Each year is associated with one of the 12 zodiac animals, and it is believed that the characteristics of the animal sign influence the personalities and destinies of people born during that year. For example, people born in the Year of the Rat are believed to be clever and resourceful, while those born in the Year of the Dragon are thought to be strong and successful.

Overall, the Chinese Zodiac Calendar and the Lunar New Year are integral parts of Chinese culture, and they continue to be celebrated and cherished by people worldwide as a time of joy, unity, and hope for the future.