Proof Silver Coin for the Year of the Rat

999 silver, with rat gilded in 999.9 gold.

38 millimeters

1 ounce

2 Dollars (Tuvalu Currency)

50,000 pieces

The obverse contains a fruit pattern, derived from Ko-chi Chang’s painting of persimmon with the meaning of “everything goes well”, which has been presented with coloring effect and gradations, and the upper part of a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.

The motif of the inner Chinese Zodiac is designed as a gilded hamster to represent the year of the rat and symbolizing wealth and prosperity. The inner dodecagonal rims represent the 12 Chinese zodiac signs and the 12 month of the year, surrounded by peony paper-cut pattern to symbolize the themed characteristics and brightness of the silver coin and denoting happiness and wealth. Plants and flowers are treated with special sandblasting to enrich their diversity and multi-level representation.

The Central Mint is commissioned to produce the Proof Silver Coins for the Year of the Rat by the Bank of Taiwan authorized by the Tuvalu government. The silver coin is designed with a dodecagonal inner ring in which there is an eye-catching motif. The silver coin features the obverse of colored persimmon and the motif of a partially gold-plated rat to show the beauty of coin casting. The silver coin has been engraved with a denomination and is issued in limited numbers.