The Royal Mint continues its Shengxiào Collection with coins celebrating the Lunar Year of the Monkey, which starts Feb. 8, 2016.

Known as the Shengxiào (or Chinese zodiac) Collection, the Royal Mint’s lunar coins blend Chinese tradition with British craftsmanship, the Royal Mint says. 

The coins are made of either .999 fine silver or .9999 fine gold. Brilliant Uncirculated and Proof examples are offered now at a premium, with bullion versions to become available later. 

Each lunar year is symbolized by one of 12 animals, whose traits are attributed to those born during that year. 

British-Chinese artist and printmaker Wuon-Gean Ho, designer of the Royal Mint’s lunar Horse and Sheep coins, continues the series with the Monkey, a prominent and popular figure in Chinese culture believed to symbolize luck, honor and wealth.

RELATED: British Chinese artist Wuon-Gean Ho discusses her Lunar coins

Those born in a Year of the Monkey are thought to be energetic, quick-witted and sociable, and to enjoy applying their appetite for knowledge to creativity and problem solving.

Wuon-Gean has depicted two rhesus monkeys in her composition. Wuon-Gean explains: “Rhesus monkeys and humans shared a common ancestor about 25 million years ago. They are extremely intelligent, sociable and family oriented, and are equally good at climbing and swimming.”

The obverse of each coin features the Jody Clark effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

The coins are supplied in bold red packaging, together with a booklet that reveals the customs that inspired the artist. Mintage figures feature the number “8,” thought to be lucky in Chinese culture. 

The Brilliant Uncirculated tenth-ounce gold £10 coin has a mintage limit of 1,888 pieces and retails for £175.

The Proof 1-ounce silver £2 coin has a mintage limit of 8,054 pieces and retails for £82.50.

The Proof 1-ounce gold £100 coin has a mintage of 888 pieces and retails for £1,495.

The Proof 5-ounce silver £10 coin has a mintage limit of 588 pieces and retails for £395.

The Proof 5-ounce gold £500 coin has a mintage limit of 38 pieces and retails for £7,500.

This year kilogram coins are introduced to the collection.

The Proof kilogram silver £500 coin has a mintage limit of 88 pieces and retails for £2,000.

The Proof kilogram gold £1,000 coin has a mintage limit of eight pieces and retails for £42,500.

Pricing in U.S. dollars will be determined at the time of order from the Royal Mint's website. 

Like the Royal Mint's Lunar coins? Check out these Coin World stories about other issues in the series!

Royal Mint starts Lunar series with Year of the Horse coins

Lunar privy mark series from Royal Mint continues

Royal Mint unveils locally inspired designs for 2015 Year of the Sheep silver, gold coins