Niue 2021 Great Lunar Zodiac Race Year Ox $8 5 Oz Gilt Pure Silver Gilded Proof

  

Celebrate 2021, the Year of the Ox, with this unique tribute to the story of the Great Lunar Zodiac Race. This huge, very low mintage (only 888), 5 ounce pure silver proof is gilded with 24-karat gold plating and numbered on the edge with its unique serial number! The Year of the Ox Great Lunar Zodiac Race 5 Oz Silver Gilded Proof is the eighth annual release in this most sought after series. Don't miss out, get yours now! We don't merely like this coin.

Tremendously low mintage - just 888! Stunningly engraved design features all 12 animals of the lunar zodiac on one coin! HUGE size - five troy ounces pure silver, 65 mm in diameter! Highlighted in 24-karat pure gold gilding!

Each coin is individually numbered on the edge (matches certificate number), making each coin truly unique! Each coin is displayed in a handsome, luxurious, highly polished solid wood presentation case! What a tremendous work of numismatic art - all the creatures are beautifully portrayed in stunning detail. The engraving is so fine, the detailing so intricate, and the designs so delicate! Struck from a HUGE five troy ounces of. 999 pure silver, and spanning a massive 65 mm in diameter nearly 3 inches! , this imposing coin represents an appropriate and commanding tribute on the Year of the Ox as well as the Great Lunar Zodiac Race! This dynamically rendered wonder couldn't be more charming, with the ox front and center at the finish line! There are no legends to detract from the drama of the vignette. Each coin is encapsulated and displayed in a highly polished, solid wood presentation case, accompanied by a numbered certificate. Each coin is also individually numbered on the edge, making each truly unique! With a ridiculously low mintage of just 888, these impressive beauties are sure to sell quickly! The Legend of the Great Lunar Zodiac Race. The legend of the Great Lunar Zodiac Race involves cunning, speed, strategery, and most of all, drama. There are several versions of the story of the origin of the lunar calendar. In some, the Great Jade Emperor (Heavenly Grandfather) ordered a race of animals to celebrate his birthday.

Others say that it was Buddha who called for the race of a dozen creatures. In all versions, however, twelve different animals were summoned to be symbols of the twelve years of the Chinese Lunar Zodiac cycle.

However, there was disagreement about their order; each animal wanted primacy. And so, in order to secure their respective ranks in the zodiac, the twelve would race across a rapidly flowing river. Although he was the worst swimmer of all the animals, Rat was nonetheless very smart. He knew Ox was a very strong swimmer, so through flattery Rat convinced Ox to agree carry him across the river on Ox's back.

As they reached the shore at the front of the herd of animals, Rat jumped off Ox's back and finished first, claiming primacy in the Lunar Zodiac calendar. Ox finished in second place, with Tiger (also a very strong swimmer, despite being a feline) claiming third place. Rabbit, another weak swimmer, came up with a different strategy.

She hopped from one stone to another, doing well until she slipped. Fortunately, Rabbit grabbed onto a log. Kicking with her strong hind legs, she propelled the log to shore and finished in fourth place (with a little inadvertent help from Dragon; read on). In fifth place came Dragon, a flying creature who would easily claimed first place, but had stopped to help some villagers.

Dragon also helped the Rabbit, albeit inadvertently. Puffing mightily on its way to the finish line, Dragon blew prodigiously on Rabbit's log and pushed her to shore. Horse looked set to finish sixth, but Snake slithered out of the tall grass, scared the bejeezus out of Horse, and thereby took sixth place instead of Horse, who finished seventh. Monkey, Rooster and Goat found a raft and, working together, paddled against the strong currents and through the water sedge until they reached the shore. Goat came in eighth place, Monkey in ninth, and Rooster in tenth.

Playful Dog had been too busy splashing in the fresh water, distracting himself, and so finished in eleventh place. Pig had stopped to eat a sizable meal presumably full of carbohydrates; was it pasta? , then fell asleep , thus became the last animal to cross the finish line. And so the order of the 12 animals in the twelve year cycle of the Chinese Lunar Zodiac was determined, with Rat opening the cycle and Pig closing it out. The twelve creatures of the Chinese Lunar Zodiac race for the finish line of the Great Lunar Zodiac Race. There are no legends on this side to detract from the drama of the vignette. Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in crowned profile facing right. This portrait, featuring Her Majesty wearing a tiara and pearl earrings, was executed by the sculptor Ian Rank Broadley. The legend ELIZABETH II, the date of issue and denomination also appear, while the legend 5 OZ 999 SILVER guarantees the weight and purity.

The coin is encapsulated inside a highly polished, solid wood, clamshell-style presentation case, lined with black velvet and protected by a stylish outer box. An individually-numbered certificate of authenticity is included. Images featuring the edge and certificate numbers are mint-supplied images intended for general reference only.

Serial numbers on images are NOT indicative of the serial number you will receive! Proof with Selective 24-Karat Gold Plating (Gilding). Serrated (milled, reeded) with Serial Number Edge Lettering.

Niue is a small island nation in the South Pacific. Although it is completely self-governing and independent, it remains in free association with New Zealand, a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations, hence the portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on its coinage. The country is located about 1,450 miles northeast of New Zealand.

It is closest to Samoa, Tonga, and the Cook Islands. It is one of the largest coral islands in the world, with a total area of 260 square kilometers. Niueans are predominantly Polynesian; most are bilingual, speaking both Niuean and English. The item "Niue 2021 Great Lunar Zodiac Race Year Ox $8 5 Oz Gilt Pure Silver Gilded Proof" is in sale since Tuesday, September 29, 2020. This item is in the category "Coins & Paper Money\Coins\ World\Australia & Oceania\South Pacific".

The seller is "talismancoins" and is located in Saint Louis, Missouri. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Country/Region of Manufacture: Australia
• Certification: New in original mint packaging as issued
• Precious Metal Content: 5 Troy Oz Ounce Pure Silver
• Grade: Proof Uncirculated
• Year: 2021
• Circulated/Uncirculated: Uncirculated Proof
• Composition: Pure Silver
• Denomination: $8 Eight Dollars