Perth Mint released a humongous 10 kilo 99.99% pure silver coin to celebrate the Year of the Pig. A maximum of 100 such coins will be manufactured as legal tender of Australia depending on the orders until 2019. Designed by Perth Mint artist, Aleysha Howarth, the reverse side depicts a pig and four piglets. Other inscriptions include the Chinese character for ‘pig’, ‘Year of the Pig’ in English and Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark. Designed by Ian Rank-Broadley, the obverse side depicts an effigy Queen Elizabeth II, year-date 2019, face value 300 Dollars, weight and fineness. The coin comes in a protective acrylic capsule, has a diameter of 221 mm and thickness of 34.81 mm.

The Pig is one of 12 animals linked to the ancient Chinese lunar calendar. The years 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007 and 2019 are considered to be the Year of Pig. According to Chinese traditions, people who are born in the year of Pig possess the qualities of honesty, loyalty, generosity and calmness. This year occurs once in twelve years and follows a cyclic pattern. The 11 years before and after this year are dedicated to 11 other animals.

Image Courtesy: Perth Mint