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Year of the Rabbit Sterling Silver Coin
The center of the Year of the Rabbit coin features an
octagonal 24 karat gold covered cameo depicting the Rabbit. In each year of the series,
the design on the gold cameo will change to depict the animal for the year of issue. The
twelve animals of the Chinese lunar calendar appear around the circumference of the
reverse of the sterling silver coin. Canadian artist Harvey Chan created the design of the
Chinese symbols. The obverse of the coin portrays an effigy of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth
II by Dora de Pédery-Hunt, surrounded by the inscription 15 DOLLARS, CANADA, 1999.
The Chinese lunar calendar follows a twelve year cycle and
each year is associated with an animal. The twelve animals of the Chinese lunar calendar
are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
Chinese astrology attributes character traits to each animal, and people are said to share
the traits of the animals associated with the year in which they are born. Character
traits of those born in the Year of the Rabbit include clear-sightedness, excellent
judgment of character and a very affectionate nature.
The Mint will produce 78,888 of the Year of the Rabbit
coins. The coins come in an embossed red velvet box with gold moiré sides.
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