1/2 oz Australian Lunar Year of the Monkey 2004 Gold Coin

History

Australian Lunar gold coin – Year of the Monkey

The Chinese lunar calendar is today used by many for Taoist cosmology. It is believed that, depending on the year of the zodiac when a person is born, a special relationship exists between the person’s personality and the animal that constitutes part of the Chinese zodiac. The animals in the zodiac are supposed to be of symbolic nature, where each animal is a representation of a specific group of characteristics and traits that can be found in every human being. There are twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac, and each of them is celebrated once every twelve years. The year of the monkey was last celebrated in 2004.

Those born in the year of the monkey are considered brilliant, witty and remarkably ingenious. Their quick mind coupled with their creativity is able to resolve most problems. They are curious by nature, with a great thirst for knowledge, and as such they will have an insight into a broad range of topics. Persons born in the year of the monkey have the ability to extract themselves confidently and safely from difficult situations by applying their knowledge and sharpness. These qualities make them wonderful individuals at parties and in closer social circles. Their creative minds, wit, and cheerful and playful attitude will light up any conversation or festivity. Energetic and sometimes demanding, people born in the year of the monkey crave activity, and if not sufficiently stimulated can become unreasonable and self-centred. This is why most often they have a broad circle of friends and colleagues who provide them with the mental stimulation that is so essential for their well-being.

It can therefore be seen that the Australian Gold Lunar Year of the Monkey coin is an ideal gift for whoever you love or respect, since giving a Gold Lunar coin means that you are showing affection by immortalising the person’s year of birth and particular virtues in pure and precious golden artwork.

Australian Lunar Year of the Monkey coins – as rare as gold

The Perth Mint introduced the Lunar Year of the Monkey gold coins for the first time in 2004. The next issue of the Year of the Monkey will only become available in 2016, when the monkey, according to the Chinese lunar calendar, will once again take centre stage. In 2004 the gold coin was offered in 1 kg, 10 oz, 2oz, 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz and 1/20 oz weights. The one-ounce mintage in 2004 was 16,868 gold coin and 4,228 pieces for half-ounce coins. This is an extremely low figure compared with the mintage of other well-known investment bullion coins. For example, the Australian Kangaroo one-ounce gold coin reaches the corresponding cumulative mintage figure of the Year of the Monkey Gold Series every 3 months. Australian Lunar Year of the Monkey gold bullion coins are thus well suited for collectors since they are naturally as rare as gold.

The Perth Mint is a world distinguished mint and precious metals refiner that is located in the City of Perth, in Western Australia. The Perth Mint was founded in 1896 by Britain’s Royal Mint in response to the newly discovered gold deposits in Western Australia. Perth Mint’s task was to refine gold ore from the mines and to strike sovereign gold coins from the refined bullion. Between 1899 and 1931 the Pert Mint produced  a considerable amount of gold sovereigns which were disturbed in Australia  and throughout the British Empire to be used as circulating currency. British control over Perth Mint was relinquished in 1971 to the Government of Western Australia which then assumed ownership of  the  mint.  Today,  the  Perth  Mint  is  hailed  for  the exceptional  quality  of  its  world  class investment bullion coins like the Kookaburra and Koala silver coins, and the Lunar Series. The Perth Mint has been a member of the London Gold Market (predecessor of the LBMA) since 1934. The swan design, which is the Mint’s official assay stamp registered with the LBMA, is recognised internationally and was inspired by the Mint’s location in Perth, where the main river, the Swan, runs through the city.