On Feb. 1 of solar year 2022 a new lunar year will dawn. For the traditional Chinese calendar it is year 4719 - the 39th year of the current 79th sexagenary (60 year) cycle.
In the Chinese system of Earthly Branches it is a Year of the Tiger. Specifically it is Rén Yín [ ›› ] or Year of the Water Tiger.
A Year of the Tiger (YoT) is the third in the 12-year cycle of animals that form the Chinese zodiac. The animals’ order of precedence was determined by the Great Race devised by the August Personage of Jade.
Just prior to reaching the finishing line the animals involved in the Race found their way blocked by a broad swiftly-flowing river. Even though the Tiger had no fear of water and was strong and powerful, it found the current kept pushing him downstream forcing him to come in behind the Ox and Rat.
The annual coin lunacy that celebrates each of the Great Race participants in turn has become and remains the largest numismatic program on the planet.
A couple of years back it seemed that collector enthusiasm for lunar coins might be waning, that parts of the lunar coin market had become saturated. Certainly some coin mintages showed a down-turn and other once popular issues were dropped.
Overall, those trends have not continued into the YoT. Total mintage volumes from the major mints remain steady. One or two, such as Britain’s Royal Mint show an increase. Certainly, the numerous low mintage boutique strikings from smaller mints continue to fill any gaps.
One matter collectors may wish to note is that cute Lunar Tiger cubs are to the fore in this year’s coin designs. They make a charming thematic collection in their own right.
The YoT coins described here are but a sample of those on the market. Lunar issues from most major mints are included but not all from the multitude of minor players.
For each coin type the diameter, weight, metal composition and mintage are summarized in parenthesis. The metal is cited as Cu-Ni for cupronickel, CuAlNi for copper aluminum nickel alloy; Al-Bz for aluminum bronze, AE for bronze, Cu for copper, Ag for silver, Au for gold and Pt for platinum - along with the millennial finesses of Ag, Au and Pt.
At the time of writing, in early November last, gold was selling in New York for approximately U.S.$ 1,850/oz with silver at U.S. $24/oz and platinum at U.S. $1,068/oz.
THE WATER TIGERS AMONG US
In general, people born in a Year of the Tiger are ambitious, energetic and optimistic. They are passionate and brave, imbued with the spirit of adventure. They delight in taking on new challenges. Importantly, they are resolute. They are not prepared to compromise. They never give up until a desired goal has been achieved.
