The silver design features a monkey sitting on a branch of a tree surrounded by bats symbolizing health, peace and prosperity; the other side is a portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Seven sizes of pure (999 fine) silver coins are available: 1/2 oz., 1 oz., 2 oz., 5 oz., 10 oz., 1/2 kilogram, and 1 kilogram. Face values range from 50 Cents to 30 Dollars. This is the first time that the 5 oz. and 1/2 kilo sizes have been offered in this popular series. Eight sizes of pure (9999 fine) gold coins depict a monkey walking on a branch. 1/20 oz., 1/10 oz., 1/4 oz., 1/2 oz., 1 oz., 2 oz., 10 oz., and 1 kilo. Denominations of these legal tender coins range from 5 to 3000 Dollars. The 1/2 oz. gold coin is being offered for the first time.

Australian Year of the Monkey coins are available from official distributor PandaAmerica, 3460 Torrance Blvd., Suite 100, Torrance, CA 90503. Credit card orders can be placed by calling (800) 472-6327 or eMailing info@pandaamerica.com. Shop online at www.pandaAmerica.com

People born in the Year of the Monkey (1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992 or 2004) are said to be intelligent, successful and popular.

Legend has it that the 12 lunar-zodiac animals were selected by the Jade Emperor. He conducted a race of all the animals, and named years in the order that they finished. During the race across the countryside, the rat hitched a ride on the back of the slow but persistent ox. When the ox was a few feet from the finish line, the rat jumped off and raced ahead to claim the victory and the right to represent the first lunar-zodiac year. The rat also fooled the cat into believing that the race was to be held a day later, so the cat missed the race entirely. As a consequence of this trickery, the cat still chases the rat.