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Tuesday 8 September 2020

1472) "Year of the Ox", Australian Lunar Series III, 2021, Australia: Three Gold Coins of $100, $25 & $15 and Three Silver Coins of $2, $1 and 50 Cents, issued by the Perth Mint Australia: Year of Coin Minting 2020 (with Year of issue inscribed as 2021):

1472) "Year of the Ox", Australian Lunar Series III, 2021, Australia: Three Gold Coins of $100, $25 & $15 and Three Silver Coins of $2, $1 and 50 Cents, issued by the Perth Mint Australia: Year of Coin Minting 2020 (with Year of issue inscribed as 2021):


Links to some more posts on the Chinese Lunar calendar/Zodiac signs on this Blog:


2021 is the Year of the Ox. in the Chinese Lunar Calendar/Zodiac Cycle.

How does the Lunar Calendar or Chinese Zodiac Cycle 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/Lunar Calendar:

The exact origins of the 12 animal signs is raher lost in the obscurity of time, but there is no doubt that they originated in China. In terms of the Chinese astrological "history", the 12 animals 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" 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 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 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 Lunar 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 of the animals were friendly towards others, while others were inimical/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 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 "Xi" or "Tse" is its Chinese name), became the first animal in the Chinese Lunar Calendar/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 ("Hu"), 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 the the Lunar or Chinese Zodiac, each month corresponds roughly to one cycle of the Moon's movement - from a new moon, through to a full moon and back to a new Moon. The lunar calendar is also known as the agricultural calendar, as it divides the year into seasons. Agriculture was the principal economy of ancient China. Even today, the lunar calendar still has great significance for the Chinese people who use it to set the lickiest dates for traditional events and activities, like weddings, funerals, launching new ventures and moving to a new house.

The 2021 Coins celebrate the Year of the Ox, whose rule over every second year in the 12-year lunar cycle is believed to influence people born during 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 and 2021.

The Commemorative Coins issued by Perth Mint, Australia:

First issued in 1995 and now in its third round, the long-running Australian Lunar Coin Series celebrates the animals of the Chinese Zodiac with a sequence of annual designs portraying the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.


The Reverses of a Gold Coin Variant and a Silver Coin Variant, placed against the background of a Presentation Pack/Case  of a Gold Coin Variant



The 2021 Coins celebrate the Year of the Ox, whose rule over every second year in the 12-year lunar cycle is believed to influence people born during 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 and 2021.


Each Gold Coin's Reverse portrays a strapping Ox amid bamboo - a symbol of virtue. The design includes the inscription "OX 2021" and the Perth Mint's "P" Mint-Mark.

The specifications of the Three Coin Variants issued in Gold:

One Oz. , 100 Dollars Gold Variant:


The Obverse of a 100 Dollars Gold Coin Variant shows an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II facing right. The initials of the designer "JC" (standing for Jody Clark) are engraved on the Queen's shoulder.

The peripheral inscriptions are - ELIZABETH II. AUSTRALIA. 100 DOLLARS. 1 OZ 9999 Au"

Denomination: 100 Dollars; Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 1.0 Oz (One Troy Oz.) or 31.107 grams; Diameter/Size: 32.60 mm; Thickness:  2.95 mm; Mintage: 2,500 pieces; Coin Quality: Proof; Legal Tender: Australian Legal Tender; Obverse Design: Jody Clark; Mint: Perth Mint, Australia; Year: 2021.

1/4 Oz. , 25 Dollars Gold Variant:


The Obverse of a 25 Dollars Gold Coin Variant shows an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II facing right. The initials of the designer "JC" (standing for Jody Clark) are engraved on the Queen's shoulder.


The peripheral inscriptions are - ELIZABETH II. AUSTRALIA. 25 DOLLARS. 1/4 OZ 9999 Au"

Denomination: 25 Dollars; Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 1/4 Oz  or 7.777 grams; Diameter/Size: 20.60 mm; Thickness:  2.30 mm; Mintage: 5,000 pieces; Coin Quality: Proof; Legal Tender: Australian Legal Tender; Obverse Design: Jody Clark; Mint: Perth Mint, Australia; Year: 2021.

1/10 Oz. , 15 Dollars Gold Variant:


The Obverse of a 15 Dollars Gold Coin Variant shows an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II facing right. The initials of the designer "JC" (standing for Jody Clark) are engraved on the Queen's shoulder.


The peripheral inscriptions are - ELIZABETH II. AUSTRALIA. 100 DOLLARS. 1/10 OZ 9999 Au"


Denomination: 15 Dollars; Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 1/10 Oz  or 3.111 grams; Diameter/Size: 16.60 mm; Thickness:  1.80 mm; Mintage: 5,000 pieces; Coin Quality: Proof; Legal Tender: Australian Legal Tender; Obverse Design: Jody Clark; Mint: Perth Mint, Australia; Year: 2021.



The Presentation Case with the Reverse of a Gold Coin Variant.



Presentation Case Cover Shipping Box.

The Silver Coin Variants:


Each Silver Coin's Reverse depicts a charming ox and its calf with a cherry blossom tree - a symbol of love and beauty. The design includes the inscription "OX 2021" and the Perth Mint's "P" mint mark.

The specifications of the Three Coin Variants issued in Silver:

Two Oz. , 2 Dollars Silver Variant:



Denomination: 2 Dollars; Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 2.0 Oz (Two  Troy Oz.) or 62.214 grams; Diameter/Size: 50.80 mm; Thickness:  4.80 mm; Mintage: 2,000 pieces; Coin Quality: Proof; Legal Tender: Australian Legal Tender; Obverse Design: Jody Clark; Mint: Perth Mint, Australia; Year: 2021.

One Oz. , 1 Dollar Silver Variant:


The Obverse of a 1 Dollar Silver Coin Variant shows an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II facing right. The initials of the designer "JC" (standing for Jody Clark) are engraved on the Queen's shoulder.
The peripheral inscriptions are - ELIZABETH II. AUSTRALIA. 1 DOLLAR. 1 OZ 9999 Ag".

Denomination: 1 Dollar; Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 1.0 Oz (One  Troy Oz.) or 31.107 grams; Diameter/Size: 40.90 mm; Thickness:  3.50 mm; Mintage: 7,500 pieces; Coin Quality: Proof; Legal Tender: Australian Legal Tender; Obverse Design: Jody Clark; Mint: Perth Mint, Australia; Year: 2021.

1/2 Oz. , 0.5 Dollar or 50 Cents Silver Variant:


The Obverse of a 50 Cents Silver Coin Variant shows an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II facing right. The initials of the designer "JC" (standing for Jody Clark) are engraved on the Queen's shoulder.

The peripheral inscriptions are - ELIZABETH II. AUSTRALIA. 50 CENTS. 1/2 OZ 9999 Ag".

Denomination: 0.5 Dollar; Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 0.5 Oz (Half  Troy Oz.) or 15.533 grams; Diameter/Size: 32.60 mm; Thickness:  2.90 mm; Mintage: 5,000 pieces; Coin Quality: Proof; Legal Tender: Australian Legal Tender; Obverse Design: Jody Clark; Mint: Perth Mint, Australia; Year: 2021.


The Presentation Case of  a Silver Coin Variant.


The Three Silver Coins placed in a collective Presentation Case.











Links to posts on Australia, New Zealand and Countries and Overseas Territories of the South Pacific etc on this Blog: 

1) Bank of Papua New Guinea: 36th Anniversary Celebrations (1973-2008): A Commemorative Uncirculated Coin Set consisting of a 2 Kina Banknote & a 2 Kina Coin


 3) Currency & Coinage of the Solomon Islands: Dollars and Cents

4) New Zealand: New Banknote "Seventh Series" issued under Project "Brighter Money" from 2015 onwards

5) Coinage of the French Polynesian Island of Caledonia (or Nouvelle Caledonie) the CFP Franc  

6) French Institution for issuing uniform currency/coinage for French Overseas Territories in the Pacific and the French Southern Territories of Antarctica: The Institut d'emmission d'outre Mer (IEOM)

7) Currency & Coinage of Samoa: Tala and Sene 

8) Currency of the South Pacific Island Country of Fiji 

9) Coinage of New Zealand: A commemorative coin set issued in 1979 

10) Currency and Coinage of Australia: Dollars and Cents 

11) The Australian Emblem or the Coat of Arms 

12) The story of the Australian Penny 

13) The Legend of the Mutiny on the Bounty: A Commemorative Coin Set from the Pitcairn Islands depicting relics from the Bounty issued in 2009 

14) An Australian $5 coin issued in 1996, commemorating Australia's greatest cricketing legend - Sir Donald Bradman 

15) New Series/Generation of Australian Banknotes being introduced from 01.09.2016 onwards starting from $5 issues 

16) Southern Lights: A $1 Silver holographic coin issued by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand in January 2017










Links to interesting Posts on coins from Tuvalu Islands:

Links to posts on issues from the Republic of Palau:

Links to Posts on coin issues from Niue Islands:


Links to posts on Coin issues from Solomon Islands:


Other links to interesting posts on Coins brought out by Coin Invest Trust on behalf of other countries:









The 7-Summits Silver Coin Series:

Links on Batman and Superman Posts on this Blog:


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