Dragon Rectangular Coin facts for kids
| Australia | |
| Value | 1.00 Australian dollar (Silver, face value) 100 Australian dollars (Gold, face value) |
|---|---|
| Mass | 31.103 g (1.00 troy oz) |
| Diameter | 27.6 (Silver) mm (1.08 in) |
| Edge | Flat |
| Composition | 99.9999% Ag 99.9999% Au |
| Years of minting | 2018-present |
| Obverse | |
| Design | Bust of Queen Elizabeth II |
| Designer | Jody Clark |
| Design date | 2018 |
| Reverse | |
| Design | Chinese dragon with flaming pearl |
The Dragon Rectangular Coin is a special type of coin made by the Perth Mint in Australia since 2018. It's not like the round coins you usually see; it's shaped like a rectangle! These coins are known as bullion coins, which means they are valued mostly for the precious metal they contain, like gold or silver, rather than for spending.
What is a Bullion Coin?
A bullion coin is a coin made from a precious metal, like gold or silver. People buy them mainly as an investment or to collect, because the value comes from the metal itself. The Dragon Rectangular Coin is unique because it looks a bit like a traditional coin but also like a small gold or silver bar.
Value and Purity
The silver version of this coin has a "face value" of one Australian dollar. This is the official value printed on the coin. However, its actual value is usually much higher because of the silver it contains. The gold version has a face value of one hundred Australian dollars.
Both the silver and gold Dragon Rectangular Coins are incredibly pure. They are made of 99.9999% pure silver or gold. This is often called ".9999 fine," which is even purer than many other bullion coins that are typically ".999 fine." Each coin weighs exactly one troy ounce, which is a special unit of weight used for precious metals.
Design and Features
The design on the front (called the obverse) of the coin features a picture of Queen Elizabeth II. This design was created by an artist named Jody Clark in 2018.
On the back (called the reverse), you'll find a beautiful image of a Chinese dragon. In Chinese culture, dragons are symbols of power, strength, and good luck. This dragon is shown with a "flaming pearl," which often represents wisdom or spiritual energy.
How Many Are Made?
The Perth Mint makes a limited number of these special coins each year. For the silver version, they produce a maximum of 250,000 "Uncirculated" coins. "Uncirculated" means these coins are made for collectors and have never been used in everyday buying and selling. They also make a smaller number of "Proof" coins, which are made with extra care and have a very shiny, mirror-like finish. Only 3,888 Proof silver coins are made each year, making them even rarer for collectors.
