Lucky number 8 and Dragons. It has to be the latest Chinese themed silver coin from Perth

In a nice break from the usual lunar coins, the Perth Mint has dipped into Chinese culture and combined the Asian love of dragons and their belief in the power of the number eight to bring luck. They’ve done it in quite a novel way and followed a growing trend for unusually shaped coins.

Struck as a figure eight in two ounces of fine silver, the coin depicts a pair of intertwined dragons snaking around the form of the coin. Apart from the ‘P’ mintmark, the reverse is thankfully devoid of inscription. It’s a great looking piece, although the shape will split opinions as coins like this always do. The necessary coin inscriptions sit on the fairly clean obverse with just an ‘8’-pattern for company.

Presentation is excellent. Following the superb solid acrylic display frames like those used by the New Zealand Mint, this one has a custom-shaped cutout to suit the unusual shape of this coin. A certificate of authenticity is supplied and sits in a themed shipper with the coin. AT $218.00 AUD, it isn’t a budget buy, especially given the relatively large 8,888 mintage, but it’s a unique-looking piece that is sure to win fans.

2018 FIGURE EIGHT DRAGON SILVER COIN

MINTS DESCRIPTION

This figure eight shaped coin is a first in innovative design for The Perth Mint and the first of its kind in the world. In Chinese culture, the number eight is considered extremely lucky as the Chinese word for ‘eight’ sounds similar to which means good fortune or money. The number eight is also uniquely symmetric and, when laid on its side, resembles the mathematical symbol for infinity.

REVERSE: Across the figure eight shape, the coin’s reverse features two dragons wrapped around one another and holding coins in their claws. The Perth Mint’s traditional ‘P’ mintmark also appears in the design.

OBVERSE: The Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the monetary denomination, and the 2018 yeardate are shown on the coin’s obverse.

PACKAGING: Each coin is presented in a clear acrylic case, allowing both sides of the coin to be displayed, and is packaged within an illustrated shipper. The coin is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

SPECIFICATION

NAME 2018 FIGURE EIGHT DRAGON
DENOMINATION $2 AUD
COMPOSITION 0.9999 silver
WEIGHT 62.213 grams
DIMENSIONS 40.5 x 70.0 mm
FINISH Antique
MODIFICATIONS Figure-eight shape
MINTAGE 8,888
BOX / COA Yes / Yes
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