2012 Lunar Dragon Silver 1KG Coin

The Australian Lunar series of coins epitomises the Perth Mint's rich tradition of minting bullion coins portraying Chinese themes. The reverse design of this year's release marks the 2012 Year of the Dragon, one of the 12 animals associated with the ancient Chinese lunar calendar.

In Chinese culture, people born in the Year of the Dragon - 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 and 2012 - are regarded as confident, enterprising, independent, self-assured, brave and passionate.

The coins depict a representation of a dragon with a symbolic 'pearl of wisdom'. The Chinese character for 'dragon' and the inscription 'Year of the Dragon' also appear in the design, along with the Perth Mint's traditional 'P' mintmark.