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.