Australia 1/4 oz Gold Lunar Year of the Rat - 24h Shipping!

The next installment in The Royal Mint's "Shēngxiào" collection is the 2020 Lunar Year of the Rat coin. Combining centuries-old Chinese tradition with British minting craftsmanship, the collection commemorates the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac (Shēngxiào) and their distinctive traits and unique qualities. The coin is struck from 999.9 fine gold, weighs 1/4 ounce, and has a denomination of 25 pounds.  

Appearance of the 2020 1/4 oz Gold Year of the Rat Coin

Continuing the success of the "Shēngxiào" collection, the reverse of the new bullion coin in this series was designed by artist P. J. Lynch. The obverse of the coin was designed by the iconic Royal Mint coin designer, Jody Clark - the creator of the latest, definitive portrait of Her Majesty on British coins. On one side of the coin, we find the image of a rat, and on the other, the likeness of Queen Elizabeth II. 

Historical Background

The rat is the first sign of the Chinese zodiac. Legend speaks of a great race among all the animals to determine the order of the lunar calendar. The finish line was across a river, but the rat had a plan - by hitching a ride on the ox, it took the lead and won. It is this victory that the rat owes its position in the Chinese zodiac. Its year begins anew in 2020. People born under this sign are said to be intelligent and optimistic.

Coin Manufacturer

The Royal Mint, the British Royal Mint, is not only the oldest but also one of the largest issuers in the world. The mint has been operating since the end of the 9th century, and its structures have continued to this day. Currently, one in seven coins worldwide comes from The Royal Mint, producing up to 5 billion numismatics annually. The Royal Mint is known worldwide for its innovations, use of cutting-edge technologies, and raising the standards of coin production.