Year of the Dragon celebrations continue at the Perth Mint of Australia with the release of the 2012 Australian Year of the Dragon Five Ounce Silver Proof Coin.
Struck with the same basic designs as found on earlier Year of the Dragon releases, this proof quality coin for collectors is composed of a weighty five ounces of .999 fine silver.
The Perth Mint debuted these designs on the related 2012 lunar silver bullion coins which were first offered to the public late last year. Since then, the Year of the Dragon image has appeared on collectible gilded, gemstone, colored and high relief coins. However, none of those collector coins were offered in such a large version as this five ounce piece (the bullion coins range in size from 1/2 ounce up to 10 kilo).
Silver lunar coins have been appearing from the Perth since 1999 with the release of the Lunar Series I. They were augmented in 2008 when the Perth Mint started issuing coins of the Lunar Series II. All of these strikes feature designs symbolic of the twelve creatures of the Chinese zodiac including rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
That zodiac links those born in 2012 with the dragon. Those associated with the dragon are said to be enterprising, independent, confident and passionate.
All of those traits are depicted by the representation of the dragon on the reverse of the coin. The creature is shown along with a symbolic ‘pearl of wisdom’ and the Chinese character for dragon. Found underneath is the inscription of "Year of the Dragon."
Shown on the obverse of each coin is a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley. Inscriptions surrounding the portrait include "Elizabeth II," "Australia," "2012," "5 oz 999 Silver" and "8 Dollars." The last inscription indicates that each coin is legal tender of Australia with a face value of AUS $8.
Year of the Dragon Five Ounce Silver Proof Coin Specifications
| Silver Content (Troy oz) | 5 |
| Face Value (AUS) | $8 |
| Fineness (% purity) | 99.9 |
| Minimum Gross Weight (g) | 155.673 |
| Maximum Diameter (mm) | 65.60 |
| Maximum Thickness (mm) | 5.80 |
The Perth Mint places each 2012 Year of the Dragon Five Ounce Silver Proof Coin inside a presentation case. The coin and case are included along with a numbered certificate of authenticity inside an illustrated shipper which also depicts an image of a dragon.
Orders for the coin may be placed directly from the Perth Mint or through one of its coin affiliates. Pricing on each coin is listed at AUS $450.00.
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See additional Perth Mint product highlights from this site’s guide of Australian coins.
About the Perth Mint
The Perth Mint (www.perthmint.com.au) is the official issuer of the Australian Federal Government’s Gold and Silver Bullion Coin Program. It was Australia’s third branch of Britain’s Royal Mint when it opened in 1899 (the others being the Sydney Mint and the Melbourne Mint, which are both now closed).
Ownership of the Perth Mint was transferred to the State Government of Western Australia in 1970 who still operates the facility today.
