Canada Silver Lunar Cameo Coin (2009)

To commemorate the Year of the Ox which runs for the most part of 2009 on the western calendar, the Royal Canadian Mint issued a very attractive $15 Silver Lunar Cameo Coin. There are only 48,888 strikes of this coin distributed around the world. Perhaps, you may be wondering at the significance of this specific number? Well, the number "4" sounds like "forever" and the number "8" sounds like "fortune" in Mandarin, so the coin is supposed to bring lots and lots of good fortune.

Here's a little background on the Chinese Lunar zodiac. Just like the Western zodiac, there are twelve signs. Instead of representing twelve periods within a year, each Chinese zodiac represents a year on the lunar calendar. In the case of the Ox, the sign is carried by people born in 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, and 2009. Once in every twelve years, a certain animal will be dominant. On the reverse of the 2009 Silver Lunar Cameo Coin, the Ox is featured prominently on a gold-plated octagonal cameo. Though there's a bird which is perched on the back of the Ox, the bird is NOT one of the twelve zodiac signs. Surrounding the Ox in an outer ring are the twelve zodiacs: the Rat, the Ox, the Tiger, the Rabbit, the Dragon, the Snake, the Horse, the Goat, the Monkey, the Rooster, the Dog, and the Pig.

Measuring 40 mm in diameter and weighing 34 g, the 2009 Silver Lunar Cameo Coin is composed of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. The gold plated cameo is about 17.5 mm in length. Though it's rather out-of-the-blue, the obverse features a portrait of a rather young looking, but stately Queen Elizabeth II. Around her in a circular band are the words "15 DOLLARS CANADA 2009 ELIZABETH II". Born in 1926, Her Majesty the Queen is actually a Tiger!

But, 2009 is the Year of the Ox. Mirroring the character and nature of the ox, the person who is born under the sign of the Ox is supposed to be strong and persevering in the toughest situations. While many people like to think that the Ox is a pushover, the Ox can be eloquent in speech when the situation calls for it. The Ox's confidence will calm many a tumultuous situation. If you need to find a trustworthy person, look no further than the Ox.

The 2009 Canada Silver Lunar Cameo Coin retails for $88.88 CAD. It's the final coin in the Canada Silver Lunar Cameo Coin series. In time, you will surely get the top dollar for silver when you decide to sell silver. Just contact the best silver buyer!