2021 3oz Tokelau Figure of 8 Dragon & Phoenix.999 Silver Antique High Relief Coin
The Chinese dragon is a formidable creature that symbolises power, strength and fortune. In Imperial China, the Chinese dragon was exclusively used by the Emperor in his official robes, stamps and within his inner palace. As such, the dragon has long been associated not only with its auspicious connotations, but also a sense of superiority and excellence. On the other hand, the phoenix is a divine bird that symbolises virtue and grace, a positive sign of peace and harmony. Thus, the Chinese consider the pairing of the dragon and phoenix as a perfect match as they embody all things propitious. This divine duo intertwine and meet on a figure eight, showcasing fine details of the scales and feathers on their bodies fully. The number 8 is the the most ‘lucky’ number in Chinese culture as the pronunciation of the number 八 ‘ba’ sounds similar to the words “發“, meaning ‘to prosper’. The number 8 also symbolises balance and wholeness in Taoism. To emphasise this, the octagon Ba Gua symbol used in Taoist practice is tastefully included within this piece as holes of the figure 8, complemented with deep 3D caisson details and the body of the dragon and phoenix circling around them. On the obverse, the yin and yang sign curves beautifully down the length of the collectible, a reflection of the perfect pairing of the two creatures. The obverse is complemented with the legal tender of Tokelau, the official effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. Measuring 41mm by 60mm, this piece is die-cut to exacting proportions of the figure 8 and made with Pure Silver weighing 3 oz. An antiqued finishing technique is applied to give a unique appearance to each piece.