This is Royal Australian Mint Lunar Series (Year of the Tiger) 2010 $10 Gold Proof Coin. On February 14, 2010, the year of the tiger begins and what better way for those born in 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950 to celebrate than by owing a permanent reminder of the profound influence their sign has on their personality and destiny. Full of life, fearless, noble and bursting with vigour are just some of the traits of those born in the Year of the Tiger. The design on the $10 gold proof coin perfectly captures the tiger, a symbol of power and courage. Produced in 99.9% pure gold makes this coin, like the tiger, charismatic and easily liked. The 2007 & 2008 gold coins in the Lunar Series both sold out and the 2009 coin is very close to also doing likewise. You can visit the Royal Australian Mint if you want to buy this coin.
Specifications:
Denomination $10
Metal 99.9% Au
Mass 1/10 Troy Oz
Diameter 17.53mm
Finish Proof
Mintage 2,500
Product Code 802374
GST Price AUD$260.00
Photo by www.buzzle.com: Lunar animalsThere are many legends to explain the beginning of the zodiac. One of the most popular reads:
The story started with the Jade emperor calling all animals for the selection to be in the Zodiac sign. The cat and the rat were the worst swimmers in the animal kingdom. Although bad swimmers, they were both intelligent. They decided that the best and fastest way to cross the river was to hop on the back of the ox. The ox, being a naïve and good-natured animal, agreed to carry them across. However, overcome with a fierce competitiveness, the rat decided that in order to win, it must do something and promptly pushed the cat into the river. Because of this, the cat has never forgiven the rat, and hates the water as well. After the ox had crossed the river, the rat jumped ahead and reached the shore first, and it claimed first place in the competition.
Following closely behind was the strong ox, and it was named the 2nd animal in the zodiac. After the ox, came the tiger, panting, while explaining to the Jade Emperor just how difficult it was to cross the river with the heavy currents pushing it downstream all the time. But with powerful strength, it made to shore and was named the 3rd animal in the cycle.
Suddenly, from a distance came a thumping sound, and the rabbit arrived. It explained how it crossed the river: by jumping from one stone to another in a nimble fashion. Halfway through, it almost lost the race but the rabbit was lucky enough to grab hold of a floating log that later washed him to shore. For that, it became the 4th animal in the zodiac cycle. Coming in 5th place was the dragon, flying. Of course, the Jade Emperor was deeply curious as to why a strong and flying creature such as the dragon should fail to reach first. The mighty dragon explained that he had to stop and make rain to help all the people and creatures of the earth, and therefore he was held back a little. Then, on his way to the finish line, he saw a little helpless rabbit clinging onto a log so he did a good deed and gave a puff of breath to the poor creature so that it could land on the shore. The Jade Emperor was very pleased with the actions of the dragon, and he was added into the zodiac cycle. As soon as he had done so, a galloping sound was heard, and the horse appeared. Hidden on the horse's hoof is the snake, whose sudden appearance gave the horse a fright, thus making it fall back and giving the snake the 6th spot, while the horse placed 7th.
Not long after that, a little distance away, the sheep, monkey, and rooster came to the shore. These three creatures helped each other to get to where they are. The rooster spotted a raft, and took the other two animals with it. Together, the ram and the monkey cleared the weeds, tugged and pulled and finally got the raft to the shore. Because of their combined efforts, the Emperor was very pleased and promptly named the ram as the 8th creature, the monkey as the 9th, and the rooster the 10th.
The 11th animal is the dog. His explanation for being late—although he was supposed to be the best swimmer amongst the rest—was that he needed a good bath after a long spell, and the fresh water from the river was too big a temptation. For that, he almost didn't make it to finish line. Just as the Jade Emperor was about to call it a day, an oink and squeal was heard from a little pig. The pig got hungry during the race, promptly stopped for a feast and then fell asleep. After the nap, the pig continued the race and was named the 12th and last animal of the zodiac cycle. The cat finished too late (thirteenth) to win any place in the calendar, and vowed to be the enemy of the rat forevermore.
Source: Royal Australian Mint, Wikipedia.
