Owner Comments:
A tapestry of ancient Chinese symbolism comes to life on this distinctly Chinese square-holed coin. Used to string coins together, the square hole also represented Earth. Above the square is the yin-yang symbol illustrating the dynamic and harmonious nature of all opposing forces. Here, that universal balance is represented by an epic battle between China's two great astrological figures: the Tiger (yin, earthly, real) and the Dragon (yang, ethereal, magical).
A beautiful, thoughtful gift, and a token of good fortune! Order your coin today!
Special features:
A SQUARE-HOLED COIN! Only our second holed coin since 2007, your coin is beautifully designed and engraved using traditional Chinese imagery and motifs on both sides.
UNIQUE OBVERSE! On the obverse side of your coin are two elaborately carved phoenixes—fittingly associated with the feminine, the Empress, and the Queen. The phoenixes flank each side of the central square hole, above which is the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The effigy is engraved within a smooth polished circle that is detailed on each side with stylized scrollwork, and this scrollwork is continued in elaborate detail on the bottom half.
FEATURES THE AUSPICIOUS NUMBER 8! Your coin prominently features the auspicious number 8—amplifying good luck for the year 2016, itself a multiple of this number of good fortune.
WORLDWIDE MINTAGE OF ONLY 6,888! Your coin is GST/HST exempt with a limited mintage worldwide of 6,888! A lucky piece, sure to be sought after!
Design:
Designed by Canadian artist Charles Vinh, your coin features the image of a tiger and a dragon locked in battle. At the centre of the coin is a square hole—a traditional motif used in Chinese minting to represent the Earth and the national landmass. Above the hole, the stylized yinyang symbol, created through the use of different finishes, underscores the coin's central theme. This symbol is surrounded by elemental flames. On the left side of the image, the Tiger, its back to the viewer and its face turned in profile to the Dragon on its right, crawls in typical defensive stance amid stylized scrollwork. On the right, the Dragon is presented in profile, facing the Tiger to its left. Its claws are raised and its scale-covered body coils to attack. The obverse design, also by Charles Vinh, features two elaborately carved phoenixes—fittingly associated with the feminine, the Empress, and the Queen. The phoenixes flank each side of the central square hole, above which is the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt. The effigy is engraved within a smooth polished circle that is detailed on each side with stylized scrollwork. This scrollwork is continued in elaborate detail on the bottom half of the obverse field.
The Dragon has long been a Chinese cultural motif and is found on artefacts dating back thousands of years. This mythical figure was often associated with the highest echelons of human power and became synonymous with the Emperor himself. As a totemic symbol, the Dragon is master of water in the many forms it takes in nature, from oceans, lakes, and rivers to water spouts, waterfalls, and water-based tornadoes. Dragons also held many legendary magical powers—invisibility and flight among them. Because they could fly, dragons were also associated with ascension, which may explain the creature's close affiliation with the role of Emperor.
In direct contrast with the ethereal, elusive magical dragon, the Tiger was a very real and present force for people who dwelled in the massive feline's natural habitat. Courageous, dignified, vastly intelligent and cunning, the Tiger was often depicted as a protector of human life, a figure who would bring strength and bravery to the average person. In this way, the battle between the Tiger and the Dragon may also represent the leavening of imperial power with the needs and will of the people. The Tiger is associated with the yin force, while the Dragon is a yang figure. Together, they represent a balanced whole.
Did you know...
Coins featuring central holes are part of an ancient minting tradition. In China, a round hole represents the notion of the Universe, while a square hole symbolizes the land or the Earth. In both China and Japan, people used these holes to string their coins together with twine for safekeeping. The Royal Canadian Mint launched its first coin featuring a hole through the centre in 2007. The 99.99% pure silver coin was themed The Shape of Trade in Ancient China, and quickly sold out. The 2007 coin was the only square-holed coin created by the Mint prior to this Tiger and Dragon Yin and Yang coin.
In Chinese culture, numbers carry important symbolic meaning. The number 8 is considered the very luckiest. Part of its reputation lies in wordplay. The word for "8" is ba, and sounds very much like the word for "wealth": fa. Followers of this tradition will go out of their way to bring the number into their lives, through carefully selected dates, addresses, times, official numbers like licenses or safe deposit boxes, and more. To amplify the fortune associated with number eight, multiple eights are popular, such as the mintage for this coin of 6,888.
Yin and yang are the two elements of a dualistic worldview at the core of several Chinese philosophical traditions. Yinyang deals with the notion of balance and harmony among opposing forces, elements, tendencies, and characteristics. Though yin and yang are each associated with specific traits (feminine/masculine, hard/soft, heaven/earth) there is no hierarchy between them; rather, their ideal form is presented, such as in the traditional black and white pictogram, as a dynamic harmony.