Composition : 92,5% silver, 7,5% copper with a central octagonal cameo plated in 24-karat gold
Mintage : 48,888

The design

Centuries ago, the Chinese invented a calendar based on the lunar - rather than the solar - cycle. In 1998, Canada will inaugurate aremarkable series of coins, designed by Harvey Chan, featuring the animal symbols of Chinese astrology based on the Lunar Calendar. These symbols roughly approximate the signs of the zodiac in western culture,however, denote years instead of months. In 2008, the Royal Canadian Mint continues production of the annual series with a coin commemorating the Year of the Rat. All 12 of the Lunar animals - the Rat, the Ox,the Tiger, the Rabbit, the Dragon, the Snake, the Horse, the Sheep, the Monkey, the Rooster, the Dog and the Pig - will appear in a circular arrangement around the rim of each coin, with a different animal highlighted each year in a central cameo. The coin's observe bears the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by artist Dora de Pédery-Hunt.

This coin is the eleventh issue of the Chinese lunar calendar serie and contains 12 coins that have been released between 1998 and 2009.

CHINESE LUNAR CALENDAR - YEAR OF THE RAT - 2008 CANADIAN COINS 11 is categorised COINS AND PAPER MONEY / 08- ROYAL CANADIAN MINT / 22- ASTROLOGY & BIRTHSTONES and sold by l'Imaginaire, a store and specialised website.