October 16, 2014 – In August 2014, the Singapore Mint unveiled the Macau Lunar Goat, the eighth coin in the Macau Lunar Series, and the first convex coin with the Maitreya Buddha of Vietnam, the seventh issue of the Bhutan World Buddha Heritage Series.
“We are extremely excited about the new commemorative coin editions and the technological breakthrough that we have achieved over the year,” said Mr Yip Pak Ling, Mint Director at The Singapore Mint. “This demonstrates our enthusiasm to evolve with the latest trends and enhance our offerings to local and international markets.”
The Macau Lunar Goat
Macau / 20 MOP / 1 oz .999 Silver / 40.7 mm / Mintage: 8,000.
The Monetary Authority of Macau presents the eighth edition in its highly sought-after lunar coin series (2008-2019) with the latest issue of the 2015 Macau Lunar Goat Commemorative coins to usher in the 2015 Lunar Goat Year.
Macau / 100 MOP / 5 oz .999 Silver / 65 mm / Mintage: 2,000.
Exclusively minted and marketed by The Singapore Mint, this collectible work of art will feature a well-defined silhouette of the goat’s body, flanked by a fringe of brilliantly-hued rhododendron. The goat, traditionally known by the Chinese as a symbol of peace and luck, together with the Rhododendron (China’s top 10 traditional flowers and prestigiously titled as “Queen of Beauty”) evokes a sense of prosperity and thriving beauty. The Mount Fortress, an important landmark of Macau’s illustrious past, is featured on the reverse side. One of the oldest historical structures in Macau, the Mount Fortress is part of the Historic Centre of Macau, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Macau / 250 MOP / 1/4 oz 999.9 Gold / 21.96 mm / Mintage: 5,000.
For the Macau Lunar Coin series, we have achieved a breakthrough in our minting technology to achieve an extraordinary minting technique incorporating sandblast, gloss, relief and colour effects all into one. The docile and gentle goat is seen to emerge from the cluster of rhododendron on the coin design, the colours accentuating the serenity and elegance of the goat.
Maitreya Buddha of Vietnam
Bhutan / 1,000 BTN / 1/4 oz 999.9 Gold / 21.96 mm / Mintage: 6,000.
The seventh issue of the Bhutan World Buddha Heritage series pays homage to Asia’s largest Maitreya Buddha statue, with the first convex coin minted by The Singapore Mint.
Convex Silver coin.
Weighing 600 tonnes and reaching a lofty height of 33.6 meters, the Maitreya Buddha, also famously known are the “Laughing Buddha”, symbolises happiness, good luck, and plenitude. Maitreya Buddha is a bodhisattva who is to appear on Earth, achieve complete enlightenment and provide teaching to mankind in future, thus being recognized the Buddha of the Future, a successor to the historic Sakyamuni Buddha as according to Buddhist scriptures.
Bhutan / 250 BTN / 1 oz 999 Silver / 40.7 mm / Mintage: 10,000.
This new issue features the Maitreya Buddha sitting comfortably over an expanse of lush greenery on Cam Mountain peak of Vietnam. The Matreiya Buddha wears a merciful smile atop an idyllic mountain. The reverse of the coin features one of the eight auspicious elements in Buddhism – the Sernya, a pair of fish that signifies liberation, rebirth and resurrection of eternal life. Similarly, the ability of fishes to see through muddy waters, symbolizes clarity in perception of matters.
Visit the Singapore Mint online.
Interested in Macanese commemorative coins? This CoinsWeekly article presented the Macau snake commemorative coin.