According to Chinese legend, the phoenix was once a plain and inconspicuous bird. While other birds preferred to frolic in the forest, it constantly foraged for nuts and seeds, earning a reputation for being dull and greedy. One year, the forest was stricken by drought and the playful birds, who could find nothing to eat, began to starve. Struck by their plight, the diligent phoenix welcomed the hungry birds to share in its painstakingly gathered store of food. In gratitude for saving their lives, the recuperating birds presented the phoenix with a crown, each one plucking its most beautiful feather to help make colourful new clothing for the ‘king of the birds’. The coin portrays a multicoloured Chinese phoenix in flight. It is surrounded by a collage of other birds among plants, flowers, and clouds, with several in colour. The coin bears The Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Obverse, featuring the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy supplemented with the dates of Her Majesty’s reign. Also included are the coins weight, purity, monetary denomination, and 2023 yeardate.