2011 - Niue 1 NZD - Year of the Dragon Kids - Proof

The year 2012 was celebrated as the Chinese Year of the Dragon. On this occasion the Mint of Poland is releasing three commemorative coins: one gold and two silver ones. The “Chinese Calendar” is a series of commemorative coins within the framework of which the Mint of Poland offers every year one of the twelve animals that in the following year will patronize the Chinese Zodiac: Pig, Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Dog, Monkey and Rooster.

The 12-year cycle repeats five times because each time the year of the given animal appears under the sign of different element: water, earth, wood, fire or metal. It is believed that the animal assigned by year and the element influence sociopolitical and economic events as well as character and skills of people born in the particular year. According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of the Dragon begins January 23rd, 2012 and ends February 9th, 2013

Each coin of the series has its equivalent for children.

Obverse:
The central part of the coin depicts the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Above it – a semicircular inscription: ELIZABETH II NIUE ISLAND. Below it – a nominal value of the coin (1 dollar) and a year of issue (2011). Under the effigy of Elizabeth II, on the right – the Mint’s trademark (mw).

Reverse:
In the centre of the coin – images of a flying fairy tale dragon and a knight, depicted in a pad printing technique. In the background – an image of a castle located on the top of a mountain. On the right – a Chinese logogram meaning “Year of the Dragon”. At the bottom of the coin – an inscription: 2012 YEAR OF THE DRAGON.

Designer: Dobrochna Surajewska