A Fusion of Two Cultures

Were you, or someone you know, born in the Year of the Rat?

1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008  

If you were born in the Year of the Rat, you’re in good company. William Shakespeare, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, Gwyneth Paltrow and Bono all share this sign, which is associated with intelligence and optimism.

Ever since the first coin celebrating the Year of the Horse in 2014, we have marked the Chinese zodiac by releasing new additions to The Shēngxiào Collection. Each coin celebrates the traits of people born in that year. For 2020, the Year of the Rat joins the collection. P. J. Lynch’s design shows a single rat set against a backdrop of peonies, one of China’s best-loved flowers, in a beautiful fusion of British and Chinese culture.