£5 Coins
What animal are you in the Chinese Zodiac? Brand new £5 coin released!
The Chinese Zodiac calendar can be tracked back as far as the 14th Century B.C and has fascinated the imaginations of millions of people since.
As part of the eternal twelve-year cycle, an animal and its reputed attributes are assigned to each year.
Credit: cafeastrology
Like so many ancient traditions, the origin stories of the Chinese Zodiac vary. Some say that the Buddha called on animals to help mankind and only 12 responded. Others say a Great Race was held to determine which animal would be placed in the zodiac for eternity.
The Royal Mint are celebrating each animal on the Zodiac calendar with their Lunar Year Shēngxiào Collection £5 series.
2025 UK Lunar Year of the Snake £5
The latest coin in The Royal Mint’s Lunar series has just been issued, celebrating the Year of the Snake!
In Chinese culture, the Snake is a symbol of intelligence and adaptability and is regarded as the wisest of the 12 zodiac animals. Those born in the Year of the Snake are known for their cleverness, determination, and strategic thinking.
Chris Costello’s design on the reverse of this coin seamlessly blends traditional Chinese culture with British artistry, beautifully capturing the intricate details of the Snake’s scales as it slithers across the grass.
The 2025 UK Lunar Year of the Snake £5 would make the perfect gift for anyone born in the Year of the Snake, secure yours for just £13.99 (+p&p) >>
2024 UK Lunar Year of the Dragon £5
The eleventh coin in The Royal Mint’s Lunar series celebrated the Lunar Year of the Dragon!
This £5 coin was the first UK coin to be dated 2024, and was also the first in the Lunar series to feature King Charles III on the obverse!
The Dragon is China’s most important cultural symbol, representing confidence, courage and intelligence – traits that are said to belong to those born in the Year of the Dragon. It’s thought to be the most powerful of the 12 Lunar beasts.
William Webb’s intricate design on the reverse of this coin perfectly depicts the powerful beast.
2023 UK Lunar Year of the Rabbit £5
*No longer available at the Mint*
The tenth coin in the Shēngxiào Collection was issued in 2023 to celebrate the Lunar Year of the Rabbit.
Louie Maryon’s intricate design of this £5 coin shows the animal poised elegantly, capturing its gentle nature. An engraving of the Chinese Zodiac symbol for the Rabbit also features within the design, as well as the date ‘2023’.
In Chinese culture, the Rabbit is a symbol of hope and is the luckiest of the 12 animals. Those born in the Year of the Rabbit are said to be gentle, compassionate, and kind-hearted.
Secure your Lunar Year of the Rabbit £5 >>
2022 UK Lunar Year of the Tiger £5
*No longer available at the Mint*
2022 saw the Lunar Year of the Tiger celebrated on a UK £5 coin.
David Lawrence’s bespoke design of this £5 coin, shows the ‘King of the Beasts’ in Chinese culture, in a stance that emulates all of the animal’s desirable characteristics.
According to tradition, those born in the Year of the Tiger are adventurous, courageous, confident, and brave. To the right, we also see an engraving of the Chinese Zodiac symbol for the Tiger.
Add the Lunar Year of the Tiger £5 to your collection >>
2021 UK Lunar Year of the Ox £5
*No longer available at the Mint*
In 2021, a £5 coin was issued to celebrate the Lunar Year of the Ox!
Harry Brockway’s design of this £5 coin blends traditional Asian culture with British artistry, whilst also echoing characteristics of this formidable beast.
This impressive creature can be seen peacefully immersed in a British-inspired countryside, with the strength and size of its muscles taking centre-stage.
Qualities associated with people born in the Lunar Year of the Ox include being calm, patient, methodical and trustworthy. Lucky numbers for this Lunar Year include 1 and 4 and lucky flowers during this calendar include lily of the valley and lucky bamboo.
Click here to get your Lunar Year of the Ox £5 >>
2020 UK Lunar Year of the Rat £5
*No longer available at the Mint*
Starting in 2014 with the Year of the Horse, The Royal Mint have released a a new £5 coin every year as part of their Shēngxiào Collection.
Until 2020, these coins were only ever available in precious metal, however the 2020 UK Lunar Year of the Rat £5 was the first in the Shēngxiào Collection to be available in Brilliant Uncirculated quality.
A coin collecting first, the 2020 Lunar Year of the Rat Brilliant Uncirculated £5 coin was intricately designed by Royal Mint engraver P.J. Lynch to capture the characteristics of the people born in the Year of the Rat.
The design shows a single rat crouched and sniffing the air, showcasing its agility and inquisitiveness.
Other qualities associated with those people born in the Year of the Rat are intuitiveness and acuteness, while the element for these people is Water. Their lucky numbers could also include 2, 3, 6 and 8 and they should avoid number 4, 5 and 9.
The Chinese Zodiac Calendar – what animal are you?
There are twelve animals in total in the Chinese Zodiac calendar, but do you know what animal you are?
We’ve listed all twelve Zodiac animals below – let us know in the comments below if you think you match with your animal and its given characteristics!
- Rat: quick-witted, smart, charming, and persuasive
- Ox: patient, kind, stubborn, and conservative
- Tiger: authoritative, emotional, courageous, and intense
- Rabbit: popular, compassionate, and sincere
- Dragon: energetic, fearless, warm-hearted, and charismatic
- Snake: charming, gregarious, introverted, generous, and smart
- Horse: energetic, independent, impatient, and enjoy traveling
- Sheep: mild-mannered, shy, kind, and peace-loving
- Monkey: fun, energetic, and active
- Rooster: independent, practical, hard-working, and observant
- Dog: patient, diligent, generous, faithful, and kind
- Pig: loving, tolerant, honest, and appreciative of luxury
Which animal are you in the Chinese Zodiac? Let us know in the comments below!
The History of the British Crown Coin
Discover the journey of the crown coin and how it became the UK’s flagship £5 commemorative coin…
Do you have any of these crown coins in your collection? Let us know in the comments below!
Own the £5 coin issued to celebrate an unprecedented British Royal milestone
To celebrate this unprecedented Royal milestone, of the 65th anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen’s Coronation, The Royal Mint issued a £5 coin in 2018 in superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality, as a lasting tribute to this historic year.
Prince Philip in Coins!
Today is Prince Philip’s 98th birthday, an extraordinary milestone by all accounts, and so we’ve taken a look back at some of the coins issued to commemorate key moments throughout his life.
Born in Corfu in 1921, he is actually the oldest living great-grandchild of Queen Victoria. Prince Philip was born into the Greek royal family but his family was exiled from Greece when he was a child.
In 1939 he began corresponding with Princess Elizabeth, and after World War II he was granted permission by the King to marry her.
Prince Philip’s life of royal service began at the Queen’s accession in 1952 and he has since become the longest-serving consort in British history and the oldest-ever male member of the British Royal family.
2007 Diamond Jubilee £5
In 2007, Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary, a remarkable 60 years of marriage.
Due to this massive milestone and a truly proud moment for them both, the Royal Mint issued a new £5 coin.
Designed by Emma Noble, the reverse beautifully depicts the Rose Window at Westminster Abbey. This highly sought after coin is the only UK coin to feature the conjoined portrait of the Queen and Prince Philip.
2011 90th Birthday of Prince Philip £50
In 2011 a UK £5 coin was issued by The Royal Mint in celebration of the 90th birthday of Prince Philip.
The coin’s design features a specially commissioned portrait of Philip by Mark Richards FRBS.
Excitingly, just 18,730 of these coins were struck in Brilliant Uncirculated presentation packs making it one of the rarest £5 coins ever. And because of this, the coin is extremely sought after by collectors and is virtually impossible to get hold of on the secondary market.
2017 Prince Philip 70 Years of Service £5
In 2017, The Royal Mint released a brand new UK coin paying tribute to Prince Philip and his 70 years of service.
On 4th May 2017, Buckingham Palace announced that Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh would be retiring from public duty. This marked an incredible 70 years of service to the Queen, the United Kingdom, British Isles and the Commonwealth.
As well as a Base Metal coin, a very limited number of Silver Proof coins were made available, with just 3,000 coins being struck. Unsurprisingly, this coin was quick to sell out at The Royal Mint and with their distributors.
Did you know he worked with the Royal Mint?
In 1952, The Duke of Edinburgh was appointed President of the Royal Mint Advisory Committee. His role included selecting the design of coins, medals and seals for the new reign of Her Majesty the Queen.
He worked with the Royal Mint right up to his retirement in 1999 so it’s fair to say that the coins we know and love from years gone by, were specially selected by Prince Philip.
Secure the 2017 Prince Philip 70 Years of Service £5 coin
Whilst the Silver Proof version of this coin was quick to sell out, you still have the opportunity to get your hands on the Base Metal £5 coin in CERTIFIED BU quality.
Click here to secure the Brilliant Uncirculated Prince Philip 70 Years of Service £5 coin.