2024 Australia 1/2 oz Silver Red Lunar Dragon BU (Cap, SIII)

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The year 2024 brings a striking mythological presence to the Lunar Series III with a half-ounce silver coin dedicated to the Year of the Dragon. Struck by the Perth Mint, this legal tender piece represents the fifth design in this celebrated series, which updates its reverse artwork annually to follow the cycle of the Chinese lunar calendar. Crafted from 0.9999 fine silver, this particular release is limited to a maximum mintage of 200,000 pieces. The reverse of the coin showcases a vivid, colorized red dragon winding through a sky of stylized clouds. This legendary creature is depicted alongside a flaming pearl, a traditional symbol of wisdom and power. The design also incorporates the Chinese character for dragon, the English inscription DRAGON 2024, and a unique P125 mint mark, which honors the 125th anniversary of the Perth Mint. On the obverse, the coin displays the Jody Clark effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, noting her historic reign from 1952 to 2022. Surrounding the portrait are inscriptions that detail the coin's face value of 50 cents, its weight of 1/2 ounce, and its exceptional 9999 silver purity, making it a fascinating study in modern minting artistry.