2024 Happy Chinese New Year Stamp & Coin Cover

The Perth Mint and Australia Post are pleased to present this stamp and coin cover to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Chinese or lunar new year, also called the Spring Festival in China, is the most important of the traditional festivals celebrated by Asian cultures throughout the world. It is a time for families to reunite, as well as honour deities and ancestors.

In Australia and throughout the world, Lunar New Year is celebrated with dragon boat races and the dragon dance, performed through the streets of our major cities and towns to the sound of cymbals and drums.

The dragon is believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the coming year, and the longer the dragon in the dance, the more luck it will bring to the community. In Chinese culture, dragons possess great power, dignity and wisdom. While fierce and bold they are also benevolent.

Produced by The Perth Mint from aluminium bronze, the 2024 Happy Chinese New Year Stamp & Coin Cover has a maximum issue limit of 8,888.

DESIGN

The reverse of the coin depicts a Chinese dragon and lanterns in vivid colour. Also included in the design are the Chinese characters for ‘Happy New Year’ and The Perth Mint’s traditional ‘P’ mintmark.

The Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, supplemented with the dates of her reign, the monetary denomination and the 2024 year-date are shown on the coin’s obverse.

Affixed to the envelope are official Australia Post $1.20 and $3.60 stamps. The stamps are postmarked for the first day of issue and the envelope includes Australia Post’s Seal of Authenticity.

PRESENTATION

The uncirculated aluminium bronze coin is housed in a beautifully designed card with a circular window revealing the coin’s reverse and obverse designs.

Technical Specifications

• Serial number will differ from one shown in photography. Coin in image 1 is not to scale.

ABOUT THE PERTH MINT

The Perth Mint, located in Perth, Western Australia, is one of the oldest and most prestigious mints in the world, with a rich history that dates back to the late 19th century. It was established in 1899 as a branch of Britain's Royal Mint in response to the discovery of rich gold deposits in Western Australia. Its primary purpose was to refine gold mined in the region and to mint gold sovereigns and half sovereigns for use throughout the British Empire.

The Perth Mint played a crucial role in the development of Western Australia's gold industry, providing a local facility for gold refining and coin production that significantly contributed to the economic growth of the region. Over the years, it has evolved to become a leader in the precious metals industry, offering a wide range of services including gold and silver bullion bars and coins, precious metal refining, and jewellry.

After Australia gained independence, the Perth Mint continued its operations and, in 1970, it became wholly owned by the Government of Western Australia. Since then, it has expanded its offerings to include commemorative coins, investment products, and a wealth of services for precious metals storage, management, and distribution.

Notably, The Perth Mint has set several world records, including producing the world's largest gold coin in 2011, weighing one tonne and featuring a kangaroo design. It also operates one of the largest LBMA (London Bullion Market Association) accredited gold refineries in the world.

The mint is also a significant tourist attraction, offering visitors insights into Australia's gold mining history, the chance to view Australia’s largest collection of natural gold nuggets, and live demonstrations of traditional gold pouring.

Swan Bullion Company is proud to be an authorised distributor for both The Perth Mint bullion and numismatic products.