Chinese Mythical Creatures Golden Dragon 1 oz Gold Proof Coin $100 Australia 2024
 
The Australian one-ounce gold piece (abbreviated as 1 oz and designated with Au for "gold") is a bullion coin format. Uniquely, in Australia there are two mints authorised to strike legal tender: the Royal Australian Mint (which also makes the country's circulating coinage) and the Perth Mint which only makes collector and bullion coins, as well as other bullion products.
 
Both mints endeavour to create coins with attractive designs, and to introduce new designs and themes often, in order to raise the numismatic value of the coins over the value of previous metal used.
 
This one ounce gold coin with a face value of $100 was issued as part of the Perth Mint's extensive Chinese Myths and Legends range dedicated to Chinese traditional themes, and features a Chinese Dragon.
 
The mint says about it:
The mythological Chinese dragon is an ancient symbol of wealth and power. Believed to have divine origins, it is revered as a wise, noble, and benevolent creature which can bestow blessings on the community. It is also regarded as fortuitous to be born in the Year of the Dragon, one of 12 zodiac signs in the ancient lunar calendar.
 
The obverse of the coin displays the bust of King Charles III, which depicts him bare-headed (uncrowned) and wearing a suit and tie, facing left.
Below the shoulder truncation in tiny letters, the artist's initials DT (for Dan Thorne).
Around, the monarch's legend and the face value of the coin: CHARLES III AUSTRALIA · 100 DOLLARS
 
The coin depicts a serpentine-shaped Chinese dragon with bulging eyes, whiskered jaws, and branching horns. In its claw is a pearl, a symbol of wisdom and spiritual energy.
The Perth Mint’s mint mark is below; instead of the traditional P, it is P125, marking the mint's 125th anniversary. On the dragon's lower foot, the designer's initials WR, for Wade Robinson.
Around above, the year of issue and the metal content: 2024 1 oz 9999 GOLD (one troy ounce of 99.99% gold).