Australian Lunar Series III 2024 $1 Year of the Dragon .9999 Silver Proof 3-Coin Set Perth Mint

The fifth year of The Perth Mint’s highly anticipated Australian Lunar Series III coin program includes an array of superb silver coins celebrating the next animal in the zodiac, the dragon. Released as a magnificent three-coin set the coins feature original artistry portraying the powerful dragon.

The dragon commands the highest respect in Chinese culture. For thousands of years, it was associated with the emperor and his descendants, symbolising wisdom, enlightenment, and benevolence. The dragon was also said to command water and rain, and by ensuring abundant harvests became a powerful symbol of wealth and good fortune.

According to Chinese tradition, the emperor ordered a great race between all the animals on Earth to determine who should occupy 12 positions on the lunar calendar. To complete the course, each animal had to cross a fast-flowing river. While leading the race, the noble dragon stopped to make rain for the people, ultimately reaching the opposite bank in fifth place.

Those born under the sign of the Chinese Lunar Dragon in 2024, 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976 and every 12th preceding year, are said to be ambitious, successful, and charismatic.

Struck from 99.99% pure silver in proof quality, no more than 1,000 three-coin sets will be released in this packaging.

The coins are issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965.

The coin’s reverse portrays a dragon with water cascading from its mouth, stylised waves, and a flaming pearl, a symbol of wisdom. Included in the design is the Chinese character for ‘dragon’, the inscription ‘DRAGON 2024’ and a ‘P125’ mintmark signifying The Perth Mint’s 125th anniversary.

The coin bears the Jody Clark Memorial Obverse of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II supplemented with the dates of her reign ‘1952-2022’, as well as the weight and fineness, and the monetary denomination.

Each three-coin set is housed in a classic display case with a clear lid decorated with a silver geometric design. The case is packaged in a beautifully illustrated shipper portraying the story of how the dragon became an animal of the zodiac and is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

The shippers of future animals in the Lunar Series III will, when arrayed together, form a diorama depicting the ancient myth of The Great Race, which tells how the zodiac came into being.