The 1998 Gold Tiger is the third coin in The Perth Mint Australian Lunar Series Gold and Silver Bullion Coins collection. Production of the 1-oz Tiger gold coins, as with all the 1-oz gold coins of the Lunar Series, will be limited to 30,000 coins. The production the cap has not been reached, meaning that Tigers are available at small markups over spot. Like the 1996 Mouse and the 1997 Ox, the obverse of the 1998 Tiger bears the likeness of a young Queen Elizabeth, whereas the remaining coins in the 12-coin series carries an effigy of a mature Queen Elizabeth. The Lunar Series will end in 2007 with the Year of the Pig. All the gold coins in the Lunar Series are .9999 fine gold, and each coin comes encapsulated in plastic protective capsules.

No Silver Tiger Coins Minted

On introducing the Lunar Series, The Perth Mint started with only the gold Lunar Series coins. On seeing how well received the Series was, in 1999, with the Year of the Rabbit, The Mint added silver coins to the Series. The designs on silver coins are different from those on the gold coins.

Possibly, in 2008, when the Lunar Calendar starts another cycle, The Perth Mint will produce silver mouse coins. If so, The Mint will probably turn out silver Ox coins in 2009 and silver Tiger coins in 2010, thereby making Lunar Series silver coins for all twelve years.

Year of the Tiger Traits

Tiger people are sensitive, contemplative, and capable of great sympathy. Yet they can be short-tempered. Sometimes tiger people come into conflict with older people or authority figures. At times, tiger people cannot make up their minds, which can result in hasty decisions. Tiger people are suspicious types, but they are courageous and powerful. Tigers are most compatible with Horses, Dragons, and Dogs.

Other Tiger years include 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938, 1926, 1914, and 1902.