Both the Chinese and ather orieltal countries have a Lunar Calendar following the 12 years with animal names. Today we know these years as follows: The Rat, The Oxe, The Tiger, The Rabbit, The Dragon, The Snake, The Horse, The Goat, The Monkey, The Rooster, The Dog and The Pig.
Accrding to old legend Buddha called all the animals to see him, but only 12 of the animals showed up and Buddha named the 12 years after these animales, in the order they arrived.
The Perth Mint in Australia are issuing a series of coins with these 12 animales motifes. The first yeat, 1999, with The Rabbit and than followed by the others. This year, 2006, has been issued with The Dog.