The reverse features a beautifully detailed interpretation of the Chinese zodiac's Year of the Monkey, created by British-Chinese artist Wuon-Gean Ho.

The principal design depicts a playful rhesus monkey leaping through the branches of a tree, its elongated body, extended limbs and curling tail conveying agility and movement.

Surrounding the monkey are carefully engraved branches and bamboo leaves, creating a natural woodland environment.

A smaller monkey is visible among the branches, adding further depth and character to the composition.

The artwork reflects the intelligence, curiosity, mischief and adventurous nature traditionally associated with the monkey in Chinese culture.

Above the design appears the inscription “YEAR OF THE MONKEY”, accompanied by the date “2016”.

The traditional Chinese character “猴”, meaning monkey, is incorporated into the artwork.

The bullion version also includes the precious-metal inscription “1 OZ FINE SILVER 999”, identifying its weight and purity.

The obverse displays Jody Clark's fifth definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, introduced on British coinage in 2015.

The Queen faces right wearing the George IV State Diadem, with the inscription “ELIZABETH II D G REG F D 2 POUNDS”.

The coin measures 38.61mm in diameter, has a reeded edge and combines traditional British coinage with a beautifully interpreted Chinese cultural design.

The Royal Mint's Shēngxiào Collection celebrates the twelve animals of the traditional Chinese zodiac through a coordinated range of precious-metal coins.

The collection was introduced in 2014 with the Lunar Year of the Horse, followed by the Year of the Sheep in 2015.

For 2016, The Royal Mint released the Year of the Monkey as the third design in the series.

The monkey is the ninth animal in the Chinese zodiac's repeating twelve-year cycle.

In traditional Chinese culture, the monkey is associated with intelligence, quick thinking, creativity, curiosity and an adventurous personality.

The 2016 Chinese lunar year began on 8 February 2016.

British-Chinese artist and printmaker Wuon-Gean Ho designed the reverse, continuing her work on the early Shēngxiào releases.

Her artwork depicts a lively monkey leaping through a natural setting of trees and bamboo, bringing movement and character to the silver surface.

The 2016 release also introduced Jody Clark's fifth portrait of Queen Elizabeth II to the Lunar bullion collection.

The one-ounce silver bullion coin was limited to 138,888 pieces, with the repeated number eight reflecting the traditional association of that number with prosperity and good fortune.

The collection continued in 2017 with the Year of the Rooster, allowing collectors to assemble a coordinated sequence of zodiac-themed British bullion coins.

The 2016 Lunar Monkey remains a distinctive release combining Chinese cultural symbolism, a limited bullion mintage and official British legal-tender status.