2018 Australia 1/20 oz Gold Lunar Dog BU

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This delicate gold piece from 2018 belongs to the celebrated Australian Lunar Series II, a collection that began its initial cycle back in 1996. Struck by the Perth Mint, the series is famous for updating its reverse illustration every year to align with the rotating animals of the Chinese zodiac. For 2018, the design honors the Year of the Dog, presenting a detailed Labrador Retriever perched on a rocky outcrop alongside a stylized pine tree. The Chinese character representing the dog and the English phrase Year of the Dog are both inscribed on this side, which also displays the traditional P mint mark. On the other side, the coin features the classic portrait of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Ian Rank-Broadley. Surrounding her likeness are inscriptions detailing the coin's legal tender face value of 5 Dollars, the 2018 issue date, and the impressive gold purity of 0.9999. Despite its small weight of just 1/20 of an ounce, this legal tender coin carries the official backing of the Australian government, making it a fascinating study in miniature craftsmanship.