The Year of the Horse issue was part of Bhutan's ongoing lunar calendar gold series, produced in the early 2000s when the Royal Monetary Authority was aggressively expanding its collector bullion program — largely targeting overseas numismatic markets rather than domestic circulation. At 155.52 grams of .9999 gold, this is a five-troy-ounce piece, a format favored by Bhutan for its high-denomination prestige issues during Jigme Singye Wangchuck's reign.
The 2002 horse year holds particular resonance in Bhutanese Buddhist tradition, as it corresponds to the Wood Horse year in the Tibetan calendar cycle — considered auspicious for travel and movement.
The Year of the Horse issue was part of Bhutan's ongoing lunar calendar gold series, produced in the early 2000s when the Royal Monetary Authority was aggressively expanding its collector bullion program — largely targeting overseas numismatic markets rather than domestic circulation. At 155.52 grams of .9999 gold, this is a five-troy-ounce piece, a format favored by Bhutan for its high-denomination prestige issues during Jigme Singye Wangchuck's reign.
The 2002 horse year holds particular resonance in Bhutanese Buddhist tradition, as it corresponds to the Wood Horse year in the Tibetan calendar cycle — considered auspicious for travel and movement.