Lunar Coins: A Journey into the Fascinating World of Asian Culture
by Sebastian Wieschowski
Photo by Martin Woortman on Unsplash
The New Year's transition may have long passed, but over the past few weeks, many people around the world have still been wishing each other a "Happy New Year." That's because they follow the Chinese lunar calendar and have been celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year. Also known as the Spring Festival, it is the most important traditional festival in Chinese culture, marking the beginning of the new year in the lunar calendar. It is celebrated by billions of people in China and various parts of the world. One fascinating aspect of this festival is the use of the zodiac, which consists of twelve animals.
In line with this, the Lunar coins from the renowned Perth Mint from Australia are highly popular. Not only are they top-quality investment coins, but they also possess considerable collector potential. Their global reputation is particularly reflected in the European market, where they are among the absolute favorites. The Lunar Series III (2020 to 2031) seamlessly continues the success of its predecessor series, namely Lunar I (1996 to 2007) and Lunar II (2008 to 2019). The regular issues of this coin series are carefully packaged by the mint in sturdy acrylic capsules to preserve their quality and beauty.
Each year in the Chinese lunar calendar (and its corresponding coin series), one of the twelve animals representing the Chinese zodiac is assigned: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. These animals not only provide a way to name the years but also carry deeper symbolic meanings and are often associated with specific traits and personality characteristics.
According to legend, the Jade Emperor, the supreme god of the Chinese pantheon, established the order of these animals based on their arrival at a feast he hosted. The order was determined by a race in which the animals swam across a river boundary. The Rat, being cunning and clever, hitched a ride on the back of the Ox, thus winning the race and claiming the first place in the zodiac. Subsequently, the other animals followed in order of their arrival.
Each animal in the Chinese zodiac is associated with specific attributes and predictions for the corresponding year. For example, people born in the Year of the Rat are often considered charismatic, intelligent, and resourceful, while the Year of the Dragon is associated with luck and success. During the Chinese Lunar New Year, these animal signs are depicted in various forms, whether in elaborate decorations, on red envelopes containing good wishes, or in parades that enliven the streets.
The Chinese Lunar New Year and the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac are not only a fascinating part of Chinese culture but also offer insight into traditional beliefs that have been passed down for centuries and continue to play an important role in Chinese life today. They are also a popular theme in numismatics: Many past editions of the Lunar series have developed a collector's value that far exceeds their intrinsic material worth. Therefore, collectors and investors should act quickly now that the Lunar coins for the year 2024 are still available — historically, Australian Lunar coins have sold out early every year.
Sebastian Wieschowski has been collecting coins since childhood and, after working as a journalist with a focus on finance and economy, has switched his focus on coins and precious since 2012. He is the author of several self-published books on Bullion Coins, Panda Coins, Fake Coins and Coin Grading and works for numismatic magazines. He is also a recurring expert on the German television program Münzengalerie (Coin Gallery), the longest running numismatic television show in the world. You can find out more about his work at coinosseur.com
