1 oz, UK, 2014, Silver, Lunar Collection - Year of the Horse
1oz, UK, 2014, Silver, Shēngxiào(Chinese Lunar) Collection - Year of the Horse. The 2014 Year of the Horse bullion coins were the first in the Royal Mint's Shēngxiào Collection - a coin series dedicated to the Chinese Lunar calendar.
"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 coins were issued as "bullion" (Brilliant Uncirculated grade), as well as proofs for collectors.
Coin Specifications:
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Country |
United Kingdom |
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Year |
2014 |
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Value |
1 Oz Fine Silver, 2 Pounds, Two Pounds, £2 |
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Metal |
1 troy oz Fine Silver .999 |
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Weight |
31.210gm |
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Diameter |
38.610mm |
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Thickness |
3 mm |
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Obverse Design |
Ian Rank-Broadley(IRB) |
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Reverse Design |
Wuon-Gean Ho |
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Shape |
Round |
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Last issue of series |
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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 - which she also has on the Machin and the Gottwald portraits. The rim of the obverse is not "crenellated" (with a toothed border), unlike the Britannia bullion coins - with the exception of some coins struck with such a border in error. Lettering: ELIZABETH ' II ' D ' G REG ' FID ' DEF ' 2 ' POUNDS ' IRB (initials) |
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Reverse |
Features combine elements from both British and Chinese heritage. In the foreground of the design stands a powerful leaping horse, bringing to life the active characteristics of those born in the Year of the Horse - gregarious, charming, lively and strong. Beneath the horse’s feet lies the famous Uffington Horse, a pre-historic white horse carved into the chalk hills of Oxfordshire. Lettering: YEAR OF THE HORSE · 2014 1 OZ FINE SILVER 999 馬 To the right of the horse, the Chinese character for "horse" |
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Edge |
Milled (no inscription) |
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Mintage |
Proof Mintage |
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2014 |
Unknown |
6,486 Issued from 8,888 limit (8 is a "lucky number" in Chinese culture). |
On bullion coins, the rim of the obverse is "crenellated" (with a toothed border) and the background is textured, like the Britannia coins; on proof coins, the rim is plain and the background is smooth.
- Material
- Fine-Silver
- Denomination
- £2
- Shape
- Round
- Time
- 2000s
- Object
- Mammal
Person (king, queen, tsar, president) - Rulers
- Queen Elizabeth II
- Weight
- 1 oz