793) Year of the Pig - 2019: A Gold Coin of 1,000 Togrog and a 100 Togrog Banknote from Mongolia: issued by Coin Invest Trust (issued in 2018) minted by B. H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich:

793) Year of the Pig - 2019: A Gold Coin of   1,000 Togrog and a 100 Togrog Banknote from Mongolia: issued by Coin Invest Trust (issued in 2018) minted by B. H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich:

For interesting posts on Mongolian Coins and Banknotes, please visit the following links:

1) Currency & Coinage of Mongolia: (Part I) Evolution of the Coinage of Mongolia & the spread of Buddhism)

2) Currency & Coinage of Mongolia: (Part II) Historical development of Mongolian (Togrog) Banknotes

Mongolia has got issued the new Lunar year coins and Banknotes through the Coin Invest Trust, which celebrate the "Year of the Pig". This is the second coin/banknote in a 12 year long series, which concludes in 2030.

How does the Lunar or Chinese Zodiac work?

I consulted some of the books which have been kept in my personal library and got acquainted with some interesting facts about the Chinese Zodiac/calendar:

The exact origins of the 12 animal signs is rather lost in the obscurity of time, but there is no doubt that they originated in China. In terms of Chinese astrological "history", the 12 animals re a rather recent introduction - for it seems that in the 2nd Century BC, Ssu Ma Chi'en (163-85 BC), who was the grand astrologer to Emperor Wu Ti, wrote the Shi Chi or "historical record" which was a complete history of the Chinese up to that time. In this book, there is no "Zodiac" or mention of the 12 animals.

Originally, the 12 year cycle that it takes the planet Jupiter to complete one orbit of the sky was believed to have defined the earlier calendars. The Chinese still call this cycle "the Great Year" and each month corresponds to one of our own years.

By the 10th Century, however, after Buddhism had been established in China, Calendar  Almanacs, such as those written by the Tibetan monks in exile in the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas" monastery in the remote reaches of North-western China, depicting the 12 animals, came into existence.

The legend of the Conference of animals called by the Buddha and naming of the 12 year cycle after 12 animals, for the Chinese Calendar:

According to a legend, it was the Buddha (583-483 BC), who created the 12-animal cycle. He is believed to have invited all the animals in the land to hold a conference together. The Buddha was not surprised , as in his wisdom, he knew that some of the animals were friendly towards others, while others were enemies.

To encourage attendance, he decided to name the years after the first twelve animals, in order of their arrival. 

An invitation from the Buddha was hard to resist, and when they heard the news, all the animals set off at one, each determined to be the first to arrive.

Tiger, because of his energy and speed, at first took the lead. soon, though he began to tire and the early lead that he had achieved over his next rival Ox, who may have been slow, but had great stamina, soon dissipated. Ox reached the Buddha ahead of Tiger and prepared to bow down low to receive his honour.

But, what the sturdy Ox did not know,was that clever Rat had sneaked a ride on his tail !! Just before Ox's nose touched the floor at the Buddha's feet, nimble and swift Rat ran up Ox's tail, along his back and jumped of his nose, thus winning the race to be the first to bow before the Buddha. So Rat (or "Tze" is its Chinese name), became the first animal in the Chinese zodiac, followed by a rather resentful Ox (Chou).

Tiger(Yin), Rabbit (Mao), Dragon (Chen), Snake (Si), Horse (Wu), Goat (Wei), Monkey(Shen), Rooster (You), Dog (Xu) and Pig (Hai), all followed, and in that order, paid homage to the Buddha and were each honoured with a year.

Interestingly, Dragon is the only mythical beast in the Chinese circle of Zodiacal animals.

According to the Lunar or Chinese Zodiac, each year is assigned to the above-referred animals according to a 12-year cycle. As such, the Year of the Pig includes, for example - 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019 and 2031.

The next year is "Year of the Pig" (2019) following the present "Year of the Dog" (2018):

As with Western Zodiac, persons born within that year are said to possess certain personality traits or have pre-destined luck in romance, fortune and other aspects which bring happiness or sorrow.

The Sign of the Pig emphasises the importance of family. Those born under this sign are considered astrologically very fortunate, as Pig is associated with virility and fertility. The Sign of the Pig is associated with characteristics of sincerity, generosity and capability. with great strength of character.

Persons born under the Sign of the Pig are honest, courageous, hard-working, caring, simple and love their food. They are financially successful, but without ostentatious displays of wealth. They are either tidy or untidy - but never dirty.

They are very industrious and with careful planning can achieve their goals. They love to complete their goals/projects.

They are ideally suited to technical, scientific and practical careers, and because they are good listeners are able to deal with people and make good managers. They hate hypocrisy and lying.

The celebration of the coming of the Lunar Year -  "Year of the Pig" (2019):

It is a tradition that in celebration of the Chinese New Year, people from all over the word exchange gifts. Gifts of money are still the most frequently chosen presents in China. Traditionally, they are put in red envelopes and there is an old Chinese saying that at the end of the day you receive almost as much money as you have given away.

The second most popular gift in China is the lucky symbol connected to the Chinese zodiac that initiates the new Lunar Year. Countless gifts shaped like or depicting a pig will once again be exchanged to mark the Year of the Pig".

About the Coin and Banknote issued by Mongolia: 

The Reverse of the 1,000 Togrog Gold Coin shown against a background image of a coin with the same design

The Reverse of the 1,000 Togrog Gold Coin depicts a pig facing left, placed within an elaborately designed edge/periphery. 

Similar elements are seen on the flank and cheek of the pig design. Below the pig image is mentioned the year of issue "2019".

The Obverse of the 1,000 Togrog Gold Coin depicts the emblem of the Bank of Mongolia, which is inscribed "MONGOL BANK".  Below the emblem of the Bank of Mongolia is "!000 Togrog" in Cyrillic lettering. 

Further below just above the lower periphery is mentioned "MONGOLIA 0.5 g .9999  Gold" in Latin lettering. There is a uniformly designed periphery as well.

The specifications of this coin are:

Denomination: 1,000 Togrog; Year: 2019 (issued in 2018); Metal Composition: .9999 Gold (Au); Coin Quality: Proof; Diameter/Size: 11.0 mm; Mintage: 5,000 pieces; Minted by: B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich for Coin Invest Trust on behalf of the Bank of Mongolia.

The logo of the Bank of Mongolia is formed as a round coin on a lotus bouquet associated with purity, delicacy and stability (The Central Bank's logo illustrates the bundle of lotus as a representation of pureness, firmness and Togrog coin on a lacy base). It means that the Bank of Mongolia is the Central Bank that runs its operations backed by gold, treasures and currencies reserves.

Three fire flames and a blooming flower are located inside the coin. The figure symbolises eternal development and youth and the three flames represent the main national treasures. At the nominal value location is Soyombo symbol positioned representative of the Mongol ethnicity and the script of the Central Bank of Mongolia is written below the figure.

The logo symbolises eternal stability, constant development, youth, growth, prosperity and success.

The 100 Togrog Banknote:

The Back of the 100 Togrog Banknote features a pig decorated with floral elements.

Guilloches and floral elements are present in the background.

The Front of the 100 Togrog Banknote shows the emblem of the Bank of Mongolia (or "Mongol Bank"), including the inscription "BANK OF MONGOLIA" on the top periphery.

There is a certificate/guarantee clause that these printed commemorative Banknotes are legal tender issued by the Bank of Mongolia, the Central Bank.