According to legend twelve animals participated in a race across a river to allow the Jade Emperor to establish the order of the signs of the Chinese horoscope. Everyone thought that the Dragon would come first as it could fly, but it stopped to help some villages along the way. It also felt sorry for the Rabbit and decided to help it ashore first, allowing the Rabbit to take fourth place.

People born in the Year of the Dragon are said to be natural born leaders. Famous Dragons include US statesman Martin Luther King Jr., musicians John Lennon and Rihanna, actors Kurt Douglas and Keanu Reeves and Australian artist Ken Done and cricketer Brett Lee.

Coin Highlights:

• The first coin’s reverse depicts the noble and intelligent Dragon surrounded by auspicious clouds
• The second coin’s reverse depicts the lunar calendar wheel, rotated so that this year the Dragon takes pride of place
• Packaged in an auspicious red and gold card and sleeve
• Australian legal tender