A PAIR of Swaledale sheep feature on a special coin marking the 2015 Lunar Year of the Sheep.

The coin was designed for The Royal Mint by British Chinese artist and printmaker Wuon-Gean Ho – to represent the Chinese Year of the Sheep.

The breed was developed in Yorkshire after the First World War to withstand the hardships of the British climate.

They are now found in exposed or mountainous regions across Britain, but are mostly in Yorkshire, County Durham, the Lake District and Cumbrian Fells.

Wuon-Gean completed her training as a vet before embarking on a career as a printmaker. She chose the Swaledale because their smooth, curled horns and the swirls of their fleece show well on the intricate detailing of the coin’s design.

Those born in the Year of the Sheep are said to be freedom-loving with a passion for company, so Wuon-Gean featured two to signify friendship and family.

The pair are pictured with their heads bowed towards each other, while the Chinese character for sheep – a pictograph of the head and horns of the animal – completes the design.

Wuon-Gean said: "I recall observing sheep as part of the British landscape – in the grounds of Blenheim palace, on the hillsides of the Peak district and in the rolling Brecon Beacons. My memories of the lambing season and the close bond created between mother and child was particularly helpful in capturing the passion for company symbolised by the Year of the Sheep.”

The design will feature on a range of limited coins including fine gold, gold-plated and fine silver.

They start from RRP £82.50 and are available from royalmint.com.