In a world first for innovative design and craftsmanship, The Perth Mint has released a unique figure-eight coin that is set to be a hit in the thriving market for collectable coins with Chinese themes.
Group Manager Minted Products Neil Vance said the coin was technically challenging to develop, but he was now very excited about the striking product which was entirely designed and crafted in Perth.
“We really wanted to do something innovative that would appeal to our domestic and export markets, both in our region and beyond,” Mr Vance said.
Shaped like a figure eight, the coin’s reverse features two finely detailed dragons wrapped around one another and holding coins in their claws.
“It was a fantastic team effort by our designers and our Coin Division. The tooling blanking and minting craftspeople have done outstanding work.”
Number eight is considered extremely lucky as the Chinese word for ‘eight’ sounds similar to (发) the character that means good fortune, wealth or to prosper.
In Chinese culture the dragon is revered as a divine mythical creature which is a symbol of strength, wealth and good fortune, as opposed to the malevolent beings in western legends.
The coin has also been individually ‘antiqued’ to give it a unique finish conveying the surface abrasions of an ancient artefact.
Each coin comes in a clear acrylic presentation case, which allows both sides of the coin to be displayed.
Struck from 2oz of 99.99% pure silver, it will be issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965.
The Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the monetary denomination, and the 2018 year-date are shown on the coin’s obverse. The Perth Mint’s traditional ‘P’ mintmark also appears in the design.
The coin was released on November 7, with no more than 8,888 minted. Its recommended retail price in Australia is $218 AUD (approx. $165.68 USD).
In 2016-17 The Perth Mint exported $11 billion worth of gold to China, much of it in the form of one kilogram bars.
中国, 中國
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