Commemorative coins for 2019 Lunar Year of the Pig struck by Royal Mint

The launch of The Royal Mint’s lunar coin collection has become an eagerly anticipated annual event, with the Year of the Pig the latest in the 1,100 year-old organisation’s popular lunar calendar line-up.

The series is a celebration of the UK’s diverse multi-cultural society, lending a unique British angle to this ancient custom. During Chinese New Year it is common to exchange tokens and gifts of money in red enveloped symbolising good wishes for the recipient’s health, wealth and prosperity. In Chinese culture the pig is thought of as an intellectual and those born in that year are seen to be as inquisitive and intelligent.

The pig is the last sign of the Chinese zodiac, signalling the end of the cycle which starts anew in 2020 with the Year of the Rat. The Lunar Year of the Pig is designed by artist and craftsman Harry Brockway, Harry said “As a wood engraver I work on a very small scale, so being asked to do designs for coins was not a difficult leap for me to make.

As a stone carver and maker of memorials I often work in bas-relief and cut letters in stone. I enjoy the challenge of working within such strict parameters, combining image and lettering to produce a coherent and satisfying design.”

What does it mean to be born in the Year of the Pig?

The pig is thought of as an intellectual in Chinese culture and people born in the Year of the Pig are seen to be inquisitive and intelligent. It is in their nature to enjoy exploring different solutions to problems.

Typically, people born in the Year of the Pig are known to be diligent, compassionate and generous. They value friendship highly, and never betray their friends unless in drastic circumstances. This means they tend to be popular in their social circles.

Admired for their kindness and gentle nature, the characteristics of people born in the Year of the Pig tend to be the most selfless in the Chinese zodiac.

About the artist

Harry Brockway is an artist/craftsman living in Somerset, England. He trained as a sculptor at the Royal Academy in London and went on to work as a stonemason for many years, producing architectural stone carvings for churches, cathedrals and prestigious buildings throughout the UK.

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Sources: Royal Mint, NUMISMAG.