The Perth Mint of Australia has released three new collector grade versions of its popular 2012 Year of the Dragon Silver Bullion Coins including a 2012 Dragon Colored Silver Proof Coin, a 2012 Dragon Gilded Silver Coin and a 2012 Dragon Gemstone Silver Coin. All three numismatic strikes contain the same basic reverse as originally found on the Dragon Bullion Coins released last month.
That reverse design features a mythical dragon, one of the twelve creatures found on the Chinese Zodiac. The inscription of “YEAR OF THE DRAGON” is found underneath the creature while the Chinese symbol for dragon is shown to the side of the creature.
However, for the purposes of the collector grade coins, the Perth has added treatments and details to that reverse such as the colored silver proof coin which finds the dragon painted to make it really stand out from the design. The gilded coin contains the same design only with the features of the creature gilded in 24-karat gold. Finally, the Gemstone Silver Coin contains a ruby set in place of one of the eyes of the dragon.
All three are currently available for purchase directly from the Perth Mint.
Additional information:
Australian Lunar Silver Bullion Coins – Australian Silver Coins Information Page