Australia Issues First Coins
Commemorating Chinese "Year of the Rooster"
| Here’s
your chance to be one of the first to own Australia’s
new 2005-dated coins commemorating the Chinese “Year
of the Rooster” -- that will start on February 9, 2005.
This is the tenth issue in the Lunar-Zodiac series launched
by the Perth Mint in 1996. The Chinese believe that the animal
ruling the year in which a person is born has a profound influence
on their personality. Those born in the Year of the Rooster
(2005, 1993, 1981, 1969, 1957, 1945, etc.) are said to be
honest, hardworking and talented; they are also not afraid
to speak their minds, are independent and tenacious –
such as Confucius, Verdi, Wagner, and Katherine Hepburn.
Australia’s Perth Mint issues brilliant
uncirculated pure silver coins ranging from ½ oz.
to 1 kilogram (over 32 oz.). Each coin is struck from the
purest (9999 fine) silver, and comes in a protective clear
acrylic capsule. Since Australia is a member of the British
Commonwealth, a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II is featured
on the obverse. The reverse pictures a rooster with the
rising sun on the left and a camellia on the right; the
date appears in English and Chinese.
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| One
of the denominations is quite unusual -- $8 face value for
the 5 oz. coin. These are expected to be particularly popular
since “8” is considered as a lucky number in Asia.
PandaAmerica is now accepting orders for
Year of the Rooster silver coins as follows: 1/2 oz. at
$12.95, 1 oz. at $15.95, 2 oz. at $26.75, 5 oz. at $59.95,
10 oz. at $102.50 and 1 kilogram at $279.50. Orders should
be sent to PandaAmerica, 3460 Torrance Blvd., Suite 100,
Torrance, CA 90503. Credit card orders can be placed by
calling (800) 472-6327 or e-Mailing info@pandaamerica.com.
Add $5.50 per order for shipping and insurance, and California
residents add 8.25% sales tax on orders less than $1,000.
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