RCM Introduces Gold on Silver Dragon

By Richard Giedroyc - February 7, 2000

The Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) is beginning the year in high gear, issuing its annual Chinese Lunar calendar gold-on-silver $15 coin for 2000.

The coin was unveiled at RCM headquarters January 25, in Ottawa. It is the third coin in a 12-year series that will depict the 12 astrological signs of the Zodiac, signs that are also associated with the Chinese Lunar calendar.

The reverse of the new 2000 coin has an octagonal .9999 fine gold (24 karat) cameo depicting a dragon. In each year of the series the design on the gold cameo changes to depict the animal for the year of issue.

The 12 animals of the Chinese Lunar calendar appear around the circumference of the reverse of the .925 fine (sterling) silver coin. Canadian artist Harvey Chan created the design of the Chinese symbols. Chan was born in Hong Kong, emigrating to Canada in 1976. He studied graphic design and illustration at the Ontario College of Art and Design. Since graduating in 1982, Chan has been working as an illustrator for major Canadian publications and advertising agencies. He has devoted himself to fine art, primarily figurative works, actively exhibiting his pieces through the years.

The obverse of the coin, depicting the crowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, is by Dora dePedery-Hunt. The queen is facing right, as it appears on all coins of Canada. The denomination and year are within the obverse legends.

The Chinese lunar calendar follows a 12-year cycle. Each year is associated with a mythical or real animal. The 12 creatures representing the Chinese lunar calendar are: the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, monkey, rooster, dog and pig in that order. The RCM coins are being issued in the same order as they appear in the lunar calendar tradition.

The RCM will also appropriately strike 88,888 Year of the Dragon $15 coins. This is considered to be a lucky number in the Chinese culture. Each coin has a weight of 34 grams and a diameter of 40 millimeters. The reverse gold cameo has a diameter of 17.5mm, with reeded edges. All proof coins are struck with a frosted relief on a brilliant background.

Canada produces gold-on-silver and ringed bimetallic coins for collectors and for use in circulation. RCM has produced ringed tri-metal test tokens, but has not yet issued any yet.

The 2000 Year of the Dragon $15 coins are sold in an embossed red velvet box with gold moiré sides. The Mint offers a special collectible box with 12-sided insert to house the entire series once all of the coins have been released.

To purchase the 2000, Year of the Dragon $15 coins contact the RCM or dealers and distributors in its global network. Orders can also be made by phone from the United States or Canada.

Richard Giedroyc is a numismatic writer, researcher, auction cataloger and coin dealer. He has been in the hobby and business most of his life, now having more than three decades’ experience in this fascinating hobby field. During this time Giedroyc has been the owner of Paris Bergman Galleries, owner of Classical Coin Newsletter, international editor of Coin World and owner of Giedroyc-Anderson Interesting World Coins. He is currently a numismatic consultant. He has written more than 2,000 byline numismatic stories and contributed to several coin catalogs.