Lunar Series (British coin) facts for kids
The Lunar coin series is a special collection of coins from the United Kingdom. These coins are made by the Royal Mint, which is like the official coin factory for Britain. They celebrate the Chinese zodiac and the Chinese New Year. The first coins in this series were made in 2014. You can find them in different values and made from silver or gold. Some are bullion coins, which are valued for their metal. Others are proof coins, which are made with extra care for collectors.
| United Kingdom | |
| Value | 100 pounds sterling |
|---|---|
| Mass | 31.103 g |
| Diameter | 38.61 mm |
| Thickness | 2.7 mm |
| Edge | Milled |
| Composition | .9999 fine gold |
| Years of minting | 2016 |
| Obverse | |
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| Design | Queen Elizabeth II |
| Designer | Jody Clark |
| Reverse | |
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| Design | Sheep |
| Designer | Wuon-Gean Ho |
| Design date | 2016 |
Contents
- Year of the Horse: 2014 Coin Design
- Year of the Sheep: 2015 Coin Design
- Year of the Monkey: 2016 Coin Design
- Year of the Rooster: 2017 Coin Design
- Year of the Dog: 2018 Coin Design
- Year of the Pig: 2019 Coin Design
- Year of the Rat: 2020 Coin Design
- Year of the Ox: 2021 Coin Design
- Year of the Tiger: 2022 Coin Design
- Year of the Rabbit: 2023 Coin Design
- Year of the Dragon: 2024 Coin Design
- Year of the Snake: 2025 Coin Design
- Coin Values
- Learn More
Year of the Horse: 2014 Coin Design
The 2014 coin was the first in the Lunar series. It celebrated the Year of the Horse.
Horse Coin Reverse Design
The back of the coin shows a galloping horse. Behind it, you can see the famous pre-historic Uffington White Horse. This is a giant horse shape carved into a hillside in Oxfordshire, England. The coin also says "YEAR OF THE HORSE · 2014". It lists how much the coin weighs and what metal it is made from. The Chinese symbol for Horse (馬) is also on the coin.
Special "Mule" Horse Coins
In March 2014, something unusual happened. Some of the 1-ounce gold coins were made with a mistake. About 38,000 Horse coins accidentally had the front side (obverse) meant for a different coin series called Britannia. Also, 17,000 Britannia coins had the front side meant for the Lunar series. These mixed-up coins are called "mules" by collectors.
Year of the Sheep: 2015 Coin Design
The 2015 coin celebrated the Year of the Sheep.
Sheep Coin Reverse Design
The back of this coin shows two Swaledale sheep from Yorkshire. They are facing each other. In the background, there is a forest of trees. The designer, Wuon-Gean Ho, explained why. She said the old Chinese symbol for "sheep" (羊) looks a bit like a tree. So, the forest is actually made up of many of these symbols. The main Chinese symbol for Sheep is also in the middle of the coin. The coin says "YEAR OF THE SHEEP · 2015" and includes details about its weight and metal.
Year of the Monkey: 2016 Coin Design
The 2016 coin honored the Year of the Monkey.
Monkey Coin Reverse Design
The back of this coin shows a rhesus monkey leaping forward from a tree. Another monkey is also jumping in the background. The coin reads "YEAR OF THE MONKEY· 2016". It also tells you the coin's weight and metal type. The Chinese symbol for Monkey (猴) is placed on the lower right side of the coin.
Year of the Rooster: 2017 Coin Design
The 2017 coin was for the Year of the Rooster.
Rooster Coin Reverse Design
This coin's design shows a crowing rooster. It is surrounded by ten sea thrift flowers. In Chinese culture, the number ten often means perfection. The coin says "YEAR OF THE ROOSTER · 2017" and gives details about its weight and metal. The Chinese symbol for Rooster (雞) is near the center. This coin was different from earlier ones because its front side (obverse) had a design similar to the Britannia coin series, not the usual smooth design.
Year of the Dog: 2018 Coin Design
The 2018 coin celebrated the Year of the Dog.
Dog Coin Reverse Design
The designer, Wuon-Gean Ho, explained her idea for this coin. The back of the coin shows a very happy, energetic dog jumping with joy. This dog is a mix of a West-Highland white Terrier and a Jack Russell. It looks like it's smiling and leaping over waves. The background has a hidden story. It's actually made from the nose print of another dog. A dog's nose print is unique, like a human fingerprint. So, the background is a secret portrait of another animal the dog might be playing with. The designer's signature is also hidden in the foreground, looking like a small shell on a beach. The Chinese symbol for Dog (狗) is near the center of the coin.
Year of the Pig: 2019 Coin Design
The 2019 coin honored the Year of the Pig.
Pig Coin Reverse Design
The back of this coin was designed by Harry Brockway. It shows a female pig (called a sow) feeding five small piglets. This design shows the traits and traditions of the lunar calendar. In the background, you can see an English Cottage. The traditional Chinese symbol for ‘pig’ (豬) is shown below the sow's head.
Year of the Rat: 2020 Coin Design
The 2020 coin was the seventh design in The Shēngxiào Collection. It celebrated the Year of the Rat.
Rat Coin Reverse Design
This coin was designed by P.J. Lynch. It features a rat that looks appealing and interesting. The rat is shown twisting, as if it's reacting to a sound nearby. It looks curious and brave. Lynch also had fun with the rat’s long, curvy tail, which winds through flowers. He chose peonies because they are popular in China and are linked to good luck. The Chinese symbol for rat (鼠) is near the coin's center. Its shape echoes the rat's face and jaw.
Year of the Ox: 2021 Coin Design
The 2021 coin celebrated the Year of the Ox.
Ox Coin Reverse Design
Harry Brockway designed this coin. He wanted it to feel Eastern but with a "British twist." He was inspired by old British paintings of prize cattle. He placed the Ox in an English countryside. His design includes elements like blossom trees and ploughs. He focused on a simple setting to highlight the ox itself. He believed "less is more" and wanted to show the ox in its purest form. The Chinese symbol for Ox (牛) is near the coin's center.
Year of the Tiger: 2022 Coin Design
The 2022 coin featured the Tiger.
Tiger Coin Reverse Design
David Lawrence designed the back of this coin. It shows a tiger facing forward. The Chinese character for "tiger" (虎) is also on the coin.
Year of the Rabbit: 2023 Coin Design
The 2023 coin featured the Rabbit.
Rabbit Coin Reverse Design
This coin was the last in the series to show Queen Elizabeth II. She passed away in September 2022. The back of the coin, designed by Louie Maryon, shows a rabbit and falling oak leaves. It also includes the Chinese character for "rabbit" (兔).
Year of the Dragon: 2024 Coin Design
The 2024 coin featured the Dragon.
Dragon Coin Reverse Design
This coin was the first in the series to show King Charles III. He became king in September 2022. The back of the coin, designed by William Webb, shows a Chinese dragon flying over a forest. It also has the Traditional Chinese character for "dragon" (龍).
Year of the Snake: 2025 Coin Design
The 2025 coin features the Snake. This coin completes the full 12-sign cycle of the Chinese zodiac.
Snake Coin Reverse Design
Chris Costello designed this coin. It shows a coiled adder snake on grass. The Chinese character 蛇 (shé) for "snake" is also on the coin. The front of the coin shows King Charles III.
Coin Values
These coins come in different values, depending on their size and metal.
| Face Value | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1⁄10 ozt | 1 ozt | 5 ozt | 1 kg | |
| Silver | N/A | £2 | £10 | £500 |
| Gold | £10 | £100 | £500 | £1,000 |
Learn More
- List of British banknotes and coins
- Coins of the pound sterling
- Royal Mint
- The Queen's Beasts (coin)
- Gold as an investment
- Silver as an investment
