Lunar new year

In 2014, The Perth Mint’s internationally renowned Australian Lunar Gold Proof Coin Series II celebrates the Year of the Horse, the seventh animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac.  The birth dates for people ruled by the Chinese Lunar horse include 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002 and 2014. Those born under the influence of this sign are said to be hardworking, sociable, optimistic and energetic.

2014 year of the horse design

The coin’s reverse depicts a horse galloping amid a stylised scene of mountains and clouds. The Chinese character for ‘horse’ and the inscription ‘Year of the Horse’ also appear in the design with The Perth Mint’s traditional ‘P’ mintmark.

The Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the 2014 year-date and monetary denomination are shown on the coin’s obverse.

The coin’s high relief reverse and obverse are minted on concave surfaces to ensure the optimum flow of metal is achieved by the strike of the die.