Of all the traditional festivals in the Chinese Culture, the Lunar New Year is the most important. The first day of the New Year symbolizes the beginning of another year and all things start a new chapter. The origin of twelve lunar animals is a mystery. Chinese legend has it that the order of twelve animals in Lunar calendar was decided with a great race across a river.

 

To commemorate the first Year of the Tiger of the new millennium, the Royal Mint has struck a limited issue of gold medal. The Year of Tiger gold medal is the eleventh issue of the Lunar Series. People born in the Year of the Tiger are enthusiastic, brave, and optimistic. With strong independence and outstanding courage, they possess the majestic quality of a king. 

 

The obverse of gold medal depicts a vigorous tiger with a fruitful persimmon tree and a rock of longevity, denoting the blessings of prosperity and longvity. The reverse design features the landmark view of Victoria Harbour from the Peak, with the inscription “Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” in English and Chinese and a blooming Bauhinia, the city’s floral emblem, symbolising Hong Kong’s bright future.