Australian 2012 Year of the Dragon Proof, Gilded and Gemstone Silver Coins Launch

Collectors appreciating the design found on last month’s release of Australia’s 2012 Year of the Dragon Silver Bullion Coins (see details) now have the opportunity to obtain numismatic versions depicting that same imagery.

The Perth Mint is offering three new collector-grade silver coins utilizing that same dragon image but featuring unique design elements. The 2012 Year of the Dragon Colored Proof Silver Coins, 2012 Year of the Dragon Gilded Silver Coins and the 2012 Year of the Dragon Gemstone Silver Coin have all been added to the Perth’s line-up and are currently available for ordering.

These coins showcase the 2012 dragon design, representing the mythical creature included as the fifth of twelve animals associated with the Chinese Lunar Calendar. Underneath the creature is the inscription of "Year of the Dragon." Also shown on each coin’s reverse is the Chinese character for "dragon" and a representation of the ‘pearl of wisdom.’

Each of the 99.9% pure silver coins is struck as legal tender of Australia under the Australian Currency Act of 1965. As such, they feature Ian Rank-Broadley’s effigy of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England on their obverse.

2012 Year of the Dragon Colored Proof Silver Coins

The Perth Mint has issued two 2012 Dragon Colored Proof Silver Coins, one struck from one-half ounce of silver and the other from one ounce of the precious metal. Each features a colorized dragon with a hue of red representing success, good luck and prosperity.

Both are shipped along with a numbered certificate of authenticity indicating a maximum mintage of 10,000 per coin.

The one-half ounce coin is currently offered for AUS $63.18 while the one ounce coin is listed for AUS $102.27.

2012 Year of the Dragon Gilded Silver Coin

The 2012 Dragon Gilded Silver Coins feature a maximum mintage of 50,000 and are struck to specimen quality. Each of the one ounce strike includes an eye-catching dragon gilded in 24-karat gold.

These coins are offered in two options — an encapsulated coin which ships with a numbered certificate of authenticity and a coin shipped with a presentation case in a custom designed shipper along with the certificate of authenticity. Prices start at AUS $97.27, depending upon which option is selected.

2012 Year of the Dragon Gemstone Silver Coin

The 2012 Dragon Gemstone Silver Coin is unique among the three new offerings for two main reasons. The first is that each contains a ruby set in place of one of the eyes of the dragon. Second, the Perth Mint produces each specimen quality gemstone Dragon Coin from one kilo of 99.9% pure silver.

Since each is struck from such a large amount of the precious metal they have a diameter of 100.60 mm with a thickness of 14.60 mm. This compares to the two previously mentioned coins which are struck to a diameter of 45.60 mm and a diameter of 2.60mm.

Additional information and purchasing options for the Year of Dragon coins may be found on the Perth Mint website.

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About the Perth Mint

The Royal Mint of England originally opened the Perth Mint of Australia (http://www.perthmint.com.au/) in 1899 as a branch of the London facility. Its original purpose was to refine gold from nearby deposits in Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie and mint gold sovereigns from it.

It continued in operation as a branch of the Royal Mint until ownership was transferred to the State Government of Western Australia in 1970. Today, the Perth is the official issuer of the Australian Federal Government’s Gold and Silver Bullion Coin Program in addition to producing some of the world’s most unique collectible coins.