2009 Proof Twenty Five Dollar

The Chinese Year of the Ox occurs every twelve years and the Royal Australian Mint commemorated this with a beautiful gold issue. The Chinese Zodiac is composed of 12 animals arranged in order from the rat through to the pig. The order was established by a race between the animals, thousands of years ago orchestrated by the Jade Emperor of China. Chinese astrology and the Chinese zodiac are commemorated by The Australian Lunar Coin sequence. The 12-year sequence features coin releases marking the Year of the Mouse, Year of the Ox, Year of the Tiger, Year of the Rabbit, Year of the Dragon, Year of the Snake, Year of the Horse, Year of the Goat, Year of the Monkey, Year of the Rooster, Year of the Dog and Year of the Pig.This International Lunar Series Twenty-five dollar coin was struck for the international market. It was struck in solid gold and represents the Ox. The reverse was designed by Vladimir Gottwald and shows the artists impression of an Ox in gold with a black background. It has the legend 25 DOLLARS 1/2 oz.9999Au. The obverse shows the Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, right-facing, with tiara and earrings. It shows the legend ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2009. The Year of the Ox was celebrated in 2009. People born in the Year of the Ox are strong, reliable, fair and conscientious, inspiring confidence in others. They are also calm, patient, methodical and can be trusted. Although they say little they can be very opinionated. They believe strongly in themselves, but are also stubborn and hate to fail or be challenged. Although they do not lose their temper easily their anger can become explosive and impulsive. They are serious, quiet and not naturally sociable, which can make them dull. Ox people have a great deal of common sense.Ox Years: 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021