Description
Composition : 92,5% silver, 7,5% copper with a central octagonal cameo plated in 24-karat gold
Mintage : 88,634
The design
Centuries ago, the Chinese invented a calendar based on the lunar - rather than the solar - cycle. In 1998, Canada will inaugurate are markable series of coins, designed by Harvey Chan, featuring the animal symbols of Chinese astrology based on the Lunar Calendar. These symbols roughly approximate the signs of the zodiac in western culture,however, denote years instead of months. In 2000, the Royal Canadian Mint continues production of the annual series with a coin commemorating the Year of the Dragon. All 12 of the Lunar animals - the Rat, the Ox, the Tiger, the Rabbit, the Dragon, the Snake, the Horse, the Sheep, the Monkey, the Rooster, the Dog and the Pig - will appear in a circular arrangement around the rim of each coin, with a different animal highlighted each year in a central cameo. The coin's observe bears the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by artist Dora de Pédery-Hunt.
