1010) Year of the Rat, Mongolia (2020): Coin Invest Trust (CIT) is issuing a set of 1000 Togrog Gold & Silver Coins and a 100 Togrog Banknote to commemorate the coming Lunar Year: Coins will be minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich on behalf of CIT for the Central Bank of Mongolia: Set issue date: 10/2019:
Mongolia will be issuing the new Lunar Year Coin and Banknote which celebrates the "Year of the Rat" in 2020.
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 animal's are of 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 his 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 Sun 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 AD, 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 (583-463 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 animals were friendly towards others, while others were enemies/inimical.
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 animal set off at once, 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 off his nose, thus winning the race to be the first to bow before the Buddha. So Rat (or "Tse" 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 of Chinese Zodiac, each year is assigned to the above-referred animals .
The Year of the Mouse is celebrated by the Mongols instead of the Year of the Rat, as per the Chinese Lunar Calendar:
On 05.02.2019, Mongolia celebrated the beginning of the Year of the Pig. Mongolians did not directly adopt their calendar from the Chinese, but rather from the Uyghur people, who modified it slightly.
So when Mongolians think of this year's animal (2020), instead of the disease carrying Rat, they think of the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus). This animal's cute appearance makes it a popular pet.
Characteristics of the people born under the animal sign - The Rat - the charmer:
The first sign of the Chinese Zodiac signifies new beginnings. People born under this sign are charming, creative, assertive and survivors.
The formidable Rat person is intelligent, assertive and impatient.They do not mean to hurt others, but can often overlook other's feelings in the pursuit of their own desires, ambitions and goals. Overall, though, persons born under this sign are nice people.
Persons born under this sign, are fun-loving, sociable, great talkers and gossips and are quite charming, so it is impossible to remain angry with them for a long time. They also cherish their friends, their associates and their families and sometimes get involved a little too deeply in other people's lives because they cannot easily shrug off strong emotional attachments.
They are innovative and imaginative people, and while they may not appear to be realistic contenders, they are the types who will succeed, no matter what the odds are against them.
These persons can lack patience and for them, every project must be finished as soon as possible in order to start the next.
Persons born under the sign of the Rat will seize every opportunity, often taking on more than they can handle at that time and work relentlessly.
While their own secrets are very closely guarded, they are experts at prizing out secrets from others and are not averse to using the confidential information to their own advantage.
They are never easy-going about money. They can also be extravagant when spending on fine food and drink but do not like squandering money.
Characteristics of the people born under the animal sign - The Rat - the charmer:
The first sign of the Chinese Zodiac signifies new beginnings. People born under this sign are charming, creative, assertive and survivors.
The formidable Rat person is intelligent, assertive and impatient.They do not mean to hurt others, but can often overlook other's feelings in the pursuit of their own desires, ambitions and goals. Overall, though, persons born under this sign are nice people.
Persons born under this sign, are fun-loving, sociable, great talkers and gossips and are quite charming, so it is impossible to remain angry with them for a long time. They also cherish their friends, their associates and their families and sometimes get involved a little too deeply in other people's lives because they cannot easily shrug off strong emotional attachments.
They are innovative and imaginative people, and while they may not appear to be realistic contenders, they are the types who will succeed, no matter what the odds are against them.
These persons can lack patience and for them, every project must be finished as soon as possible in order to start the next.
Persons born under the sign of the Rat will seize every opportunity, often taking on more than they can handle at that time and work relentlessly.
While their own secrets are very closely guarded, they are experts at prizing out secrets from others and are not averse to using the confidential information to their own advantage.
They are never easy-going about money. They can also be extravagant when spending on fine food and drink but do not like squandering money.
The Coin and Banknote issues:
Coin Invest Trust (CIT) began its popular series titled the Lunar Collection" - comprising two commemorative coins in silver and gold, as well as, one silver Banknote - for every year of the Chinese calendar.
In 10/2019, the next issue will be released, dedicated to the "Year of the Mouse" (Mongolia's equivalent to the Chinese "Year of the Rat".
Gold Coin:
Gold Coin:
The Reverse of the 1000 Togrog Gold Coin depicts a left-facing standing mouse, within an ornate peripheral border, filled with floral motifs. There are similar motifs on the mouse's flank and cheek. In the exergue is mentioned the year of issue "2020".
The Obverse of the 1000 Togrog Gold Coin depicts the Soyombo Emblem of Mongolia, within the Emblem of the Central Bank of Mongolia. Beneath the emblem is the denomination of the Coin "1000 Togrog" in Cyrillic characters. On the lower periphery is mentioned "MONGOLIA 0.5 g .9999 GOLD" in Latin characters.
The specifications of this Gold coin are:
Country of issue: Mongolia; Denomination: 1,000 Togrog; Metal Composition: .9999 Gold (Au); Weight: 0.5 grams; Diameter/Size: 11.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage: 5,000 pieces; Minted by: B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt , Munich on behalf of Coin Invest Trust for Mongolia; Year: 2020; Coin Release date: 10/2019.
Banknote:
Banknote:
The Back of the 100 Togrog Banknote depicts a mouse decorated with floral elements. In the background are guilloche patterns and floral elements. The inscription reads - "YEAR OF THE MOUSE" and the denomination"100" appears twice - once on the bottom left and then again on the top right.
The Front of the 100 Togrog Banknote shows the Emblem of the Central Bank of Mongolia and bears the inscription-"BANK OF MONGOLIA - It is certified that these minted/commemorative notes are legal tender of/The Bank of Mongolia (The Central Bank)./Ag .999. 5 g. 5000 pcs . 150 x 70 mm . 2020 and 100 TOGROG".
There will be an exceptional Silver Coin/piece - a silver mini-sculpture of a mouse - struck with Smartminting technology. The sculpture's little base allows the placement of the piece, wherever the Collector wants.
The Obverse of the 1000 Togrog Silver Coin which will be struck on a blank in the shape of a stylised mouse will show the Emblem of the Central Bank of Mongolia within a slightly incused circle.
Beneath the Emblem, this face bears the inscription/denomination of the coin "1000 Togrog" in Cyrillic characters. Further below is the name of the issuing country, weight of the coin, and metallic composition - "MONGOLIA 1 OZ .999 SILVER" (in Latin characters).
In addition, the Coin depicts the features of a smiling mouse, while the flanks are adorned with floral elements.
The year "2020" is engraved on the base of the Coin.
The Reverse of the 1000 Togrog Silver coin matches the Obverse but without any inscription or the Emblem.
The specifications of this Silver coin are:
Country of issue: Mongolia; Denomination: 1000 Togrog; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: One Oz or 31.1 grams; Coin Quality: Antique Finish; Diameter/Size: 22 mm x 32 mm; Mintage: 999 pieces; Minted by: B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich, for Coin Invest Trust (CIT) on behalf of Mongolia; Coin Release date: 10/2019.
Beneath the Emblem, this face bears the inscription/denomination of the coin "1000 Togrog" in Cyrillic characters. Further below is the name of the issuing country, weight of the coin, and metallic composition - "MONGOLIA 1 OZ .999 SILVER" (in Latin characters).
In addition, the Coin depicts the features of a smiling mouse, while the flanks are adorned with floral elements.
The year "2020" is engraved on the base of the Coin.
The Reverse of the 1000 Togrog Silver coin matches the Obverse but without any inscription or the Emblem.
The specifications of this Silver coin are:
Country of issue: Mongolia; Denomination: 1000 Togrog; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: One Oz or 31.1 grams; Coin Quality: Antique Finish; Diameter/Size: 22 mm x 32 mm; Mintage: 999 pieces; Minted by: B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich, for Coin Invest Trust (CIT) on behalf of Mongolia; Coin Release date: 10/2019.
Other links to interesting posts on Coins brought out by Coin Invest Trust on behalf of other countries:
2) 150th Anniversary of "The Great Tea Race - 1866": Commemorative Coins in the denomination of 10 and 2 Dollars issued by Cook Islands in 2016
3) The Mystical Ancient Egyptian Labyrinth depicted on $10 Silver coins issued by Cook islands in 2016, under its "Milestones of Mankind Series".
4) King Arthur: The first coin in the six coins "Camelot Series".
5) Quilling Art: Silver 2 Dollars coins issued - Flowers (2016) & Bird (2017)
14) Velociraptor (meaning "Swift Seizer"), Mongolia (from the Cretaceous Period 75 to 71 million years ago - approx) - "Part I": "Prehistoric Beasts Series": A 2000 Togrog Silver Coin issued by the Coin Invest Trust, minted by BH Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich, in 2018
15) Protoceratops, Mongolia (from the Upper cretaceous Period 75 to 71 million years ago - approx.) - "Part II": "Prehistoric Beasts Series": A 2000 Togrog Silver Coin issued by Coin Invest trust, minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich, in 2019
16) Year of the Rat, Mongolia (2020): Coin Invest Trust (CIT) is issuing a set of 1000 Togrog Gold & Silver Coins and a 100 Togrog Banknote to commemorate the coming Lunar Year: Coins will be minted bgy B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich on behalf of CIT for Central Bank of Mongolia: Coin issue date: 10/2019
For interesting posts on Mongolian Coins and Banknotes, please visit the following links:
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