Probably the best types of the Perth Mints many versions of its bullion coins, high-relief has a way of enhancing a coin design. Kookaburras, Koalas, Wedge-tailed Eagles, and Lunars have all benefited from excellent high-relief versions. The Perth Mint also releases some fine original designs as well, including the excellent five-ounce format we see here.

This latest coin is called Dragon and his Nine Sons, based on an early Chinese fable about the nine Chinese Dragon sons of the Dragon King. In China in the mid-thirteenth century, an official and artist named Chen Rong painted The Nine Dragon Scroll, a 15 m by 0.5 m hand scroll. Considered one of the finest Taoist paintings, the ink on paper work also contains a poem and an inscription by the artist that indicate it was inspired in part by eighth century painter Can Ba’s painting Nine Horses and Haichong’s work, Nine Deer. The nine dragons on the scroll are meant to represent the creative forces of Nature manifesting in life and disappearing. There are many places in China with the phrase “Nine Dragons” in their name, the most famous being Kowloon (in Cantonese) in Hong Kong.

The coin face by Perth Mint designer Ing Ing Jong is a busy one, but in a good way. Packed full of detail, it looks at home on the 50 mm diameter face of the coin. Depicting the Dragon and his nine sons, the clean-struck artwork is all the better for being colour free. Packaged in the usual snapper box and coloured shipper, a Certificate of Authenticity is also enclosed. Selling for just shy of $500 AUD, only 1,000 will be minted. Available to buy from the usual Perth Mint dealers now, it will start to ship from next Monday.

COIN IMAGES

MINTS DESCRIPTION

According to ancient Chinese mythology, the dragon is symbolic of good fortune. In Chinese culture the dragon is said to have nine sons, each of whom was endowed with a unique supernatural power. Each of the son’s characteristics resembled a different aspect of ancient Chinese culture, representing music or physical abilities, guarding or providing wisdom to those who kept them among their personal affects. These appear in many aspects of architecture as well as forming part of daily life such as embellishments on statues, houses, courts and incense burners in ancient China.

The coin’s reverse portrays the mythical dragon with his nine sons, with the inscription DRAGON & HIS NINE SONS.

Issued as legal tender under the authority of the Government of Tuvalu, the 2016 year-date, and the monetary denomination are shown on the coin’s obverse.

The coin is housed in a black leatherette display case within an illustrated shipper, and is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

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COIN VIDEO

SPECIFICATION

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION WEIGHT DIAMETER FINISH MINTAGE BOX / COA
$5 AUD 0.999 SILVER 155.673 g 50.6 mm PROOF 1,000 YES / YES

MINT LINK

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