Each year of the lunar calendar is overseen by one of 12 animals auspicious in Chinese culture. According to legend, the order of the animals was decided by the Emperor's 'Great Race'. The first animal to cross the line was the rat, who marks the first year of each new lunar cycle. Following years are represented by the ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. 

Considered to have a powerful influence on the personalities of people born under their rule, these animals are also believed to affect people's compatibility, marriage, fortune, and career prospects. 

The coin's artistry depicts 12 lunar animals in colour, each within a sail-shaped panel featuring representations of their natural or, in the dragon's case, 

heavenly habitat. The imagery surrounds a bagua, a motif incorporating eight Taoist trigrams representing the yin and yang said to be present in all things. It also includes a taijitu, a black and white symbol that denotes the interdependence of yin and yang energy. 

The coin bears The Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Obverse, featuring the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy supplemented with the dates of Her Majesty's reign. Also included are the coins weight, purity, monetary denomination, and 2023 year-date. 

No more than 488 of the 12 Lunar Animals 2023 5oz Silver Antiqued Coloured Coin will be released.