We kick off New Zealand Mint week with the latest in the mints very popular Feng Shui series of coins. Initially debuting as a coloured silver coin series, the mint began releasing the designs in a clean struck ¼ oz gold format back in April 2014 with the Koi and they look to be continuing the practice in the same order that the silver coins were released. After the Koi came the Cranes, an attractive design in my view, followed by the Horses, a coin that greatly benefitted from the transition as we always felt the silver design to be a little weak compared to the first two coins.

Each of the coins is very nicely packaged in the wooden box the NZ Mint use for almost all their gold output. As nice as they are, we do miss the exceptional lacquered boxes they use for the silver coins. Limited to only 888 pieces, the number eight being considered lucky in Chinese culture, the coin sells for $550.00 USD. The design for us is again better than the silver, well composed, if less Feng Shui themed than the superb Koi and Cranes coins, both of which remain the highlight of the series for us. We expected the coin to be up for sale on the NZ Mint website today, but it has yet to appear; it will no doubt be up very shortly.

MINTS DESCRIPTION

One of the largest and strongest land animals living on the planet today, Elephants radiate an energy of kindness and wisdom.

In Feng Shui, the Elephant symbolizes protection, good fortune, wisdom, and strength. The Chinese pronunciation of Elephant is Xiàng which has a similar sound to the Chinese word for good fortune, or something that is auspicious. The Elephant therefore is suitable for all areas of life, representing your aspirations being granted at work, in your personal life, and in that of your  household.

An Elephant’s trunk has a complex language of its own. Being both sensitive and strong, Elephants use their trunks for a variety of purposes. These range from drinking water, to moving heavy objects and greeting friends. In traditional Feng Shui, Elephants are placed by a door with trunks held upward over their heads, symbolising that accumulated wealth and prosperity is being showered into the home.  The Elephant is a sacred animal in Buddhism, and was often depicted in Indian mythology.

REVERSE: This coin features two Elephants. One brings water into its trunk, representing the accumulation of wealth, while the other showers this over itself, signifying the distribution of prosperity, good fortune and peace throughout one’s life.

OBVERSE: This features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

PACKAGING: The Feng Shui Elephants 1/4 oz 9999 Fine Gold coin is displayed inside a classic wooden inner coin case, which sits inside a themed outer box. The packaging makes this an ideal gift item. The Certificate of Authenticity sits within the coin case.

ADVERTISEMENTS

iconicon
icon
icon
icon

SPECIFICATION

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION WEIGHT DIAMETER FINISH MINTAGE BOX / COA
$25 NEW ZEALAND 0.9999 GOLD 7.78 g 22.0 mm PROOF 888 YES / YES