Celebrate the auspicious Year of the Tiger with this dramatic, low-mintage, pure silver proof!

Observing the fearsome carnivore that is the tiger, whether in nature or in a zoological park, we mere humans can't help but be awestruck by the size, strength, and elegance of this majestic creature. The tiger (Panthera tigris) is easily one of the most intriguing, most beautiful, and most endangered great animals in the world. It is also one of the two most auspicious animals on the Chinese lunar calendar (the other being the Dragon), a feline made all the more desirable by the Royal Canadian Mint's new round-shaped tiger coin, dramatically rendered dramatically rendered by Canadian-Chinese artist Aries Cheung in pure silver!

Incredibly Low Mintage - This silver proof in the new Lunar animals series has a mintage limit of only 9,999! It will sell out!

Click here for more coins featuring tigers!

The Year of the Tiger
Centuries ago, the Chinese invented a calendar based on the lunar (rather than the solar) cycle. There are twelve animals in the Chinese lunar zodiac, each corresponding in sequence to a year rather than a month.

In 2010 we celebrate the Year of the Tiger. According to tradition, people born during a Year of the Tiger (1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, and 2010) are said to exhibit that animal’s attributes. They are charismatic and fearsome, generous but unpredictable. They are often noted for their enthusiasm in life, and are unafraid of exploring new territory. They can also be aggressive, especially when they perceive a threat or are cornered.

This is the first annual release in the Lunar Zodiac Round Proofs series from Canada!

Investment Note
This is an unexpected new Lunar Zodiac series from the Royal Canadian Mint. We believe that this coin will prove to be an excellent buy-and-hold, for the following reasons:
1)  The design is stunning - powerful, beautiful and dramatic, with a ferocious Oriental-style tiger, roaring as he surveys his domain from his lookout on a hill, by Chinese Canadian artist Aries Cheung.
2)  The coin is struck in one ounce of 99.99% pure silver - the first such Chinese Lunar Zodiac coin ever issued by the Mint!
3)  Perhaps most importantly, the mintage limit is dramatically lower - only 9,999! This is far lower than the mintage of any other silver Lunar Zodiac Animal coin that the RCM has ever struck! This coin will sell out at the Mint!

Click here for more coins and medals featuring animals!

Technology Note
The Royal Canadian Mint refines the purest silver in the world. The RCM is also the only mint in the world to issue commemorative coins in a .9999 fineness. This one ounce silver coin is 99.99% pure!

Click here for more great pure silver coins!

A sensational rendering of an Oriental-style striped tiger, roaring as he surveys his domain from his lookout on a hill. The Chinese character for "Tiger" appears to the left, with the royal cloud motif symbolizing never-ending fortune to the right. The date and denomination are also indicated.

Reverse

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England, in profile facing right. This portrait, the fourth effigy of the queen to appear on Canadian Coinage, was executed by the artist Susanna Blunt. The legend ELIZABETH II D. G. REGINA ("Elizabeth II, Queen by the Grace of God") also appears.

Packaging

The coin is encapsulated inside an exquisite, silver satin brocade, clamshell-style presentation case, lined with black velvet and satin, and protected by a red outer sleeve. An individually-numbered certificate of authenticity is included.