1996 Australia 1/20 oz Gold Lunar Rat (Series I)

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In 1996, a new era of numismatic artistry began with the introduction of a twelve-coin series celebrating the Chinese zodiac. This fractional gold piece, weighing just 1/20 of an ounce, represents the inaugural release of that celebrated collection. Struck in exceptionally pure 0.9999 fine gold, the coin carries a legal tender face value of 5 Dollars, fully backed by the Australian government. The reverse side of this small treasure features a detailed depiction of a rat climbing among rocks, accompanied by the traditional Chinese character representing the animal. This design, created by artist Tony Dean, captures the clever spirit of the first animal in the lunar cycle. On the obverse, the elegant effigy of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Raphael Maklouf is displayed, surrounded by inscriptions that confirm the weight, the high gold purity, and the five-dollar denomination.