A one kilogram silver proof coin, marking the Year of the Pig from The Royal Mint’s Lunar series.
The Shēngxiào Collection
The Lunar or Shēngxiào collection is a twelve-year series from The Royal Mint, charting the cycle of the Chinese zodiac. Now in its eighth year, coins in this collection feature the animals associated with the lunar calendar, often with a distinctly British twist.
Released annually on Chinese New Year in gold, silver, proof and bullion editions, the series so far includes:
While these coins share a fascinating theme with similar Chinese and Australian series, The Royal Mint’s Shēngxiào coins are unique as legal tender in the UK.
2019: The Year of the Pig
This 1 kg silver coin is part of the sixth release in this popular series though the pig is actually the final animal in the Chinese zodiac.
The design by artist Harry Brockway. His reverse shows a sow feeding five piglets. Family is important to those born under the pig and five is said to be a lucky number in Chinese culture. It’s a nighttime scene, the stars above referencing the zodiac, shining on a country cottage, surrounded by hydrangeas - another symbol of good fortune.
Brockway usually works in stone and wood and said about creating this design:
‘I enjoy the challenge of working within such strict parameters, combining image and lettering to produce a coherent and satisfying design.’
One Kilo Silver Coin
Brockway’s reverse is paired with Jody Clark’s portrait of Elizabeth II. The obverse flags the face value of this coin which is £500.
It’s from a limited edition presentation of just 38 and is struck to proof standard, ensuring a flawless finish across its 100.00 millimetre face. This piece weighs 1005.00 grams and is composed of 999 silver, making it the largest silver denomination offered in this series.
This one kilo coin is offered in its distinctive red packaging from The Royal Mint with its certificate of authenticity enclosed inside its wooden box.
Product Summary
Precious Metal Content:
1005 (g)
Monarch:
Elizabeth II (1952-2022)
Denomination:
£500 / Five Hundred Pound
Capital Gains Tax Status:
Exempt
Condition:
Proof - Boxed with certificate of authenticity
- A celebration of the Year of the Pig
- Part of The Royal Mint's Lunar collection
- Sixth release in a 12-year series
- 1,005 grams of 999 silver
- Flawless proof finish
- 100.00 millimetre diameter
- Five Hundred Pound / £500 face value
- Reverse features sow and piglets design by Harry Brockway
- Obverse shows Jody Clark's portrait of Elizabeth II
- From a limited edition presentation of 38
- Offered in original red packaging with information booklet
Steeped in more than 1,100 years of history, The Royal Mint supplies all of the United Kingdom's coinage as well as currency for nations around the world. Renown for craftsmanship and thoughtful design, The Royal Mint also produces commemorative coins, favoured by investors and collectors.
A Millennia of Minting
Founded in the reign of Alfred the Great, around the year 886, The Royal Mint was originally one of several mints which were centralised to London in 1279. For more than 800 years the Mint was based at the Tower of London before moving to Royal Mint Court where it remained until the 1960s.
The Royal Mint has always been on the forefront of economic, technical and artistic innovation. Its skilled craftsmen minted coins that would reach the far corners of the British Empire, establishing the image and reputation of Britain for all whose pockets they ended up in.
In 2010 The Royal Mint became a limited company owned by Her Majesty’s Treasury. In recent years the Mint has struck medals for the 2012 London Olympic Games and opened a visitor centre, The Royal Mint Experience, in Llantrisant, Wales: the current home of The Royal Mint.
Collecting and Investing
The Royal Mint's commemorative and bullion coins – often minted to mark important national events and anniversaries – are not intended for circulation. They might look like ordinary coins but they are generally worth much more, thanks to their scarcity, finish and composition.
Most commemorative coins produced by The Royal Mint are available in a range of striking standards including Gold Proof, Silver Proof, Brilliant Uncirculated and Bullion. Some are also available in collectors sets. Gold and Silver Proof coins are minted in small numbers, making them rare and desirable.
The Royal Mint's commemorative coins are both VAT-free and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) exempt, making them an attractive and valuable investment. Whether you are diversifying your investments or simply appreciate world-class design, commemorative coins from The Royal Mint are a great buy.
The Royal Mint at The Britannia Coin Company
The Britannia Coin Company is proud to stock official commemorative coins from The Royal Mint as well as a wide range of historic Royal Mint coinage. We offer unbeatable value on The Royal Mint coins, backed by our reputation for honesty and integrity, built over more than a decade of trading.
We're The Britannia Coin Company: offering exceptional service and unbeatable value to all who collect and invest in coins. Part of Gold-Traders (UK) Ltd, we've earned a world-class reputation over more than a decade of buying and selling currency from new issues to ancient coins.
Buy with Confidence
All Gold, Silver, Platinum and Palladium coins we sell are 100% guaranteed authentic and, where relevant, are individually certified. We're members of the British Numismatic Trade Association (BNTA) and pride ourselves on our honesty, integrity and expertise: just read some of our reviews.
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Our prices include fully insured delivery within the UK. Your purchase is covered from the moment you buy until it's in your hands. Orders are packed with care, tracked every step of the way, and require signature on receipt to ensure a safe delivery experience.
Visit our Showroom
We're based in Royal Wootton Bassett, a historic market town in beautiful Wiltshire. If the name rings a bell it's probably because you remember how the community honoured those soldiers who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. The 'Royal' in the name was granted in 2011 to recognise this.
Our new showroom – opened in 2020 – is located in the heart of Royal Wootton Bassett in a grand, old bank building. Inside you can view our stock, as well as jewellery and collectibles from several local antique dealers. Look out for the Old Bank Antiques sign and come on in.
If you're seeking to inspect a specific item you have seen online, give us a call ahead of your visit on 01793 205 007 so we can make sure it's ready for you to view. If you're collecting an order your payment should have cleared before you arrive and we may ask to see identification.
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Call our showroom on 01793 205 007.
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