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I am somewhat "baaffled" by the latest Royal Canadian Mint coin release, the sixth in an annual series marking Asian Lunar New Years. The Aussies got their new Year of the Goat Commemorative Silver Dollar out a few weeks back. Not to be outdone, our Mint has rush released our 2003 dated Lunar New Year $15 Gold Cameo Sterling Silver coin, just in time for the Holiday Season market. How come our Lunar New Year Coin is for the Year of the Sheep? Not only do we have a 2003 coin out in 2002, but there appear to be two lunar new years going on as well. |
I have often thought it might be sensible to produce next year's coins in time for the Holiday Season market. Many buyers ask for them. Many others cannot remember whether they already got them or not. Humans always want new things first and fast. How many lunar new years occur at the same time? Is there no difference between a goat and a sheep? Why can't we call it the Year of the Ram, which sounds better anyway? I called Ray Mah, well known Chinese Canadian Numismatist, for his opinion. He said, "There is no Year of the Sheep, it is the Year of the Goat, but over here people call it whatever they want." Likewise, an instore client said, "It is the Year of the Goat in Hong Kong, but here we call it the Year of the sheep." |
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Is this a comment on the mental capacity, or the nature of, the people of Canada or are things a little more elastic meaning-wise back in Hong Kong? If it helps, Canada Post is calling their January 3, 2003 stamp issue the Year of the Ram. The Canadian coin, of which 68,888 were issued, clearly depicts a ram sheep. The Australian coin shows a pair of goats. Doesn't this discrepancy trivialize the Lunar New Year we are all supposed to celebrate? If things are open to such interpretation and diversity, why not issue a choice of designs for New Year's coins? Someone still has to decide what year it is anyway. |
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Newsletter 35.5 |
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