The Chinese Zodiac is an astrological system that rotates through a twelve year lunar cycle. Each of these years is associated
with an animal arranged in order from the rat through to the pig. An ancient folk story states that the order was established
by a race between the animals that was orchestrated by the Jade Emperor of China. It is believed that each of these animals
is associated with a set of characteristics that may serve as an astrological guide to understand the events that occur in
the year as well as the personalities of those born in the year. The Royal Australian
Mint regularly produces coins celebrating the beginning of a new Chinese Lunar Year.
This ten dollar piece was issued in 2011 to celebrate the beginning of the Lunar Year of the Dragon. It is part of the
lunar series issued annually by the Royal Australian Mint. In addition
to this gold ten dollar piece a silver
proof
and uncirculated one dollar variety was also issued. The
reverse design features a rabbit along with the Chinese character for
rabbit, the year of issue "2007" and the caption "YEAR OF THE RABBIT". The obverse has the Ian
Rank-Broadley portrait of HRH Queen Elizabeth II with the
legend
"ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2011" and the denomination "10 DOLLARS".
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