2014 Gold Proof £100, Lunar Year of the Horse, One Ounce Coin.

811 coins were issued from a limit of 888.

1 Oz. x 999.9 Fine Gold.

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.

As the mint says "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 a United Kingdom 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."

The obverse of the coins shows 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.

In small letters below the head, the artist's initials IRB (for Ian Rank-Broadley).

Around the effigy is the monarch's legend: ELIZABETH ' II ' D ' G REG ' FID ' DEF ' 100 ' POUNDS '. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith, followed by the value and denomination in English.

The rim of the obverse is not "crenellated" (with a toothed border), unlike the Britannia bullion coins.

The reverse design combines 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.

Around above left, the inscription YEAR OF THE HORSE · 2014. Around above right, beneath the other inscription, the metal composition and content: 1 OZ FINE GOLD 999.9 (one ounce 99.99% gold). On proof coins this inscription is not present.

To the right of the horse, the Chinese character for "horse": 馬.

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