2015 Gold Proof £100, Lunar Year of the Sheep, One Ounce Coin.
£2,299.00
1 in stock
548 Coins were issued from a maximum mintage of 888
1oz. x 999.9 Fine Gold.
The 2015 Year of the Sheep bullion coins are the second issue 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 design of the 2015 Year of the Sheep coins skilfully uses symbolic elements to create a fusion of Chinese and British heritage. Ancient Chinese symbols for the word "sheep" form tree outlines in the background (of the proof version only), whilst two distinctive Yorkshire Swaledale sheep face each other in the foreground. The intricate details of the design highlight their beautiful curled horns in contrast to the swirls of their wool coats.
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), and the background is plain - unlike the Britannia bullion coins.
The reverse design combines elements from both British and Chinese heritage. In the foreground of the design two Yorkshire Swaledale sheep with distinctive curled horns face each other, symbolising family and friendship.
The background is plain on bullion coins; on proof coins, ancient Chinese symbols for the word "sheep" - 羊- form tree outlines.
Around above, the inscription YEAR OF THE SHEEP · 2015. 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.
Between the two sheep, the Chinese character for "sheep": 羊.
Rest assured all photographs are of the actual coin you will receive.
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