In what can only be called an extremely limited mintage, the Perth Mint of Australia launched the 2012 Year of the Dragon High Relief 1 oz Gold Proof Coin.
This coin is struck from one ounce of 99.99% pure gold to high relief proof quality and features a reverse image depicting a Year of the Dragon design.
Maximum mintage of this release is set at just 388 individual coins by the Perth Mint. Of those, only 38 are available in Australia with the rest issued worldwide.
The Perth Mint of Australia offers this proof coin as part of its extremely popular Australian Lunar Series II program. Coins of the program feature reverse designs emblematic of the twelve creatures of the Chinese zodiac.
The dragon is the fifth of those twelve creatures with the rest being the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Those born in 2012 are said to be under the influence of the dragon and are thought to have the qualities of confidence, independence and bravery.
2012 Year of the Dragon Gold Proof Coin Designs and Specifications
As already indicated, the reverse of this coin showcases the image of a mythical dragon on a concave surface insuring optimum flow of the design. To the right of the dragon is a symbolic ‘pearl of wisdom.’ Below, the Chinese character for ‘dragon’ can be seen.
Also found on the reverse of this high relief is the inscription of "Year of the Dragon." The Perth Mint’s historic ‘P’ mintmark is shown to the right.
The obverse of the proof coin has the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. Obverse inscriptions include "ELIZABETH II," "AUSTRALIA," "1 oz 9999 GOLD," "2012" and "100 DOLLARS."
Each proof is struck from one ounce of 99.99% pure gold with a legal tender face value of AUD $100. That face value is backed by the government of Australia under the Australian Currency Act of 1965.
The Perth Mint includes a numbered certificate of authenticity with each coin indicating the limited 388 mintage. Also included with each release is a display case and an illustrated shipper.
Minimum gross weight of the coin is 31.107 grams with a maximum diameter of 27.30 mm. Maximum thickness is 5.00 mm.
Pricing of the proof coin is shown as AUD $2,818.00 (~ $2,925 US), but is subject to change based on market conditions. It will ship free-of-charge if an order is placed between today and November 30, 2012.
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See other Perth Mint coin highlights from this site’s Australian Coin Guide.
About the Perth Mint
The Perth Mint (www.perthmint.com.au), wholly-owned by the State Government of Western Australia, is the official issuer of the Australian Federal Government’s Gold and Silver Bullion Coin Program. The Mint opened in 1899 as Australia’s third branch of Britain’s Royal Mint.
The Perth Mint remained under Britain’s jurisdiction until 1 July 1970, when ownership transferred to the State Government of Western Australia. Aside from the aforementioned bullion coins, the Perth is also responsible for releasing some of the most unique numismatic products available to collectors today.
Very nice coin. I wish the other Dragon coins were as limited in mintage.