1 oz, UK, 2015, Silver, Lunar Collection - Year of the Sheep
1oz, UK, 2015, Silver, Shēngxiào(Chinese Lunar) Collection - Year of the Sheep. The 2015 Year of the Sheep bullion coins is the second issue in the Royal Mint's Shēngxiào Collection - a coin series dedicated to the Chinese Lunar calendar.
Terms and Conditions
T&C for doing business with us
Delivery policy
Shipping & Delivery Information
Privacy Policy
Privacy Notice and Informed Consent Notice
"For centuries The Royal Mint has drawn upon its unrivalled heritage, experience, and craftsmanship to evolve and meet the needs of an ever-changing market. In 2014 we struck the United Kingdom’s first Chinese Lunar coins, introducing a new series and the United Kingdom's first. The Shēngxiào Collection, named to honour the Chinese zodiac, is a celebration of the UK’s diverse multi-cultural society. At Chinese New Year, gifts and tokens are exchanged, particularly the gift of money in red envelopes, symbolising good wishes for the recipient’s health, wealth and prosperity. These Lunar coins from The Royal Mint embrace this globally observed tradition, lending a unique British angle to an ancient tradition." as stated by the mint.
The design of the 2015 Year of the Sheep coins skilfully uses symbolic elements to create a fusion of Chinese and British heritage. Ancient Chinese symbols for the word "sheep" from tree outlines in the background (of the proof version only), whilst two distinctive Yorkshire Swaledale sheep face each other in the foreground. The intricate details of the design highlight their beautiful curled horns in contrast to the swirls of their wool coats.
The coins were issued as "bullion" (Brilliant Uncirculated grade), as well as proofs for collectors.
Coin Specifications:
|
Country |
United Kingdom |
|
|
Year |
2015 |
|
|
Value |
1 Oz Fine Silver, 2 Pounds, Two Pounds, £2 |
|
|
Metal |
1 troy oz Fine Silver .999 |
|
|
Weight |
31.1035gm |
|
|
Diameter |
38.610mm |
|
|
Thickness |
3 mm |
|
|
Obverse Design |
Ian Rank-Broadley(IRB) |
|
|
Reverse Design |
||
|
Shape |
Round |
|
|
Last issue of series |
||
|
Obverse |
Features the crowned mature head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Fourth Portrait"). The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947. The rim is not "crenellated" (with a toothed border), unlike the Britannia bullion coins. Lettering: ELIZABETH ' II ' D ' G REG ' FID ' DEF ' 2 ' POUNDS '. IRB(initials) |
|
|
Reverse |
Features the design of two Yorkshire Swaledale sheep with distinctive curled horns that face each other, symbolising family and friendship. The design elements are from both British and Chinese heritage. The background is plain on bullion coins; on proof coins, ancient Chinese symbols for the word "sheep" - 羊- form tree outlines. Lettering: YEAR OF THE SHEEP · 2015 1 OZ FINE SILVER 999 羊 Between the two sheep, the Chinese character for "sheep": 羊. |
|
|
Edge |
Milled (no inscription) |
|
|
Mintage |
Proof Mintage |
|
|
2015 |
Bullion Mintage Unknown |
4,463 (FDC) |
- Material
- Fine-Silver
- Denomination
- £2
- Shape
- Round
- Time
- 2000s
- Object
- Mammal
Person (king, queen, tsar, president) - Rulers
- Queen Elizabeth II
- Weight
- 1 oz