2012 Australia 1/20 oz Gold Lunar Dragon BU (Series II)

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The year 2012 marked another chapter in the celebrated Australian Lunar Series, bringing the powerful imagery of the Chinese zodiac to life on a remarkably small scale. This five-dollar denomination coin contains just 1/20 of an ounce of gold, yet it manages to showcase an extraordinary level of detail. Struck from highly refined 0.9999 pure gold, the piece is a testament to the precise craftsmanship of the Perth Mint. On the reverse, a traditional Chinese dragon takes center stage. The creature is depicted as a scaled, serpentine figure with four legs, shown alongside a symbolic pearl of wisdom. This side also features the Chinese character representing the dragon, the English inscription "Year of the Dragon", and the distinct "P" mint mark identifying its origin at the Perth Mint. The design honors those born under the dragon sign, which includes years such as 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, and 2012. The obverse of the coin displays the elegant portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Ian Rank-Broadley. Surrounding the effigy are inscriptions detailing the monarch's name, the issuing country, the year 2012, the gold purity, the weight of 1/20 ounce, and the five-dollar face value. Backed by the Australian government, this brilliant uncirculated coin was released with a limited mintage, making it a fascinating study in miniature legal tender.