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Australia Year of the Dragon

2012 Proof Ten Dollar

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The Chinese Zodiac is an astrological system that rotates through a twleve 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 2012 to celebrate the beginning of the Lunar Year of the Dragon. It is part of the lunar seriesissued 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 dragon along with the Chinese character for dragon, the year of issue "2012" and the caption "YEAR OF THE DRAGON". The obverse has the Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of HRH Queen Elizabeth II with the legend "ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2012" and the denomination "10 DOLLARS".

The Chinese Zodiac states that people born in the year of the rat are considered charismatic, independent and resourceful. The 2012 Year of the Dragon coincides with water to make it the Year of the Water Dragon which only occurs once in a sixty year cycle. The water characteristic adds a soothing and calming effect to the dragon. The year would be expected to bring a great social scene including parties and celebrations with extravagant spreads of food and drink.