2023 China Auspicious Beasts .999 Gold and Silver Proof 8 Coin Set

**An LPM Exclusive** **Product Description** The traditional Chinese auspicious animals culture has a long history and has various auspicious mythical animal images in mythology and folklore from ancient times to the present. Among them, the dragon, phoenix, qilin, and turtle are particularly revered and loved by modern folk, expressing people's beautiful wishes for peace and happiness. The "Book of Rites" states, "What are the four spirits? Qilin, phoenix, turtle, and dragon, they are called the four spirits." The "Dai Liji" records, "There are 360 insects with feathers, and the phoenix is the leader among them; there are 360 insects with fur, and the qilin is the leader among them; there are 360 insects with shells, and the divine turtle is the leader among them; there are 360 insects with scales, and the dragon is the leader among them." The "Four Beasts" are not only the representatives of the four major categories of animals - those with feathers, fur, shells, and scales, as classified by ancient people, but they also have different symbolic meanings, representing martial prowess, peace and auspiciousness, prosperity and posterity, and good health and longevity, respectively. The gold and silver commemorative coins of the Chinese Auspicious Animals issued by the People's Bank of China are packed as coin set and come with certificate of authenticity and presentation case.The gold and silver set consists of 8 coins, including 4 gold coins and 4 silver coins whereas the silver set contains 4 silver coins . All coins are legal tender of the People’s Republic of China. The coins can express the simple wishes of the Chinese people for beauty, auspiciousness, and happiness. They are conducive to fully showcasing the unique and rich historical and cultural heritage of Chinese folk customs. **Design** **Obverse Design:** Each coin of this set bears the common obverse design features the national emblem of the PRC, the title of PRC and the year date. **Reverse Design:** The four 2g round commemorative gold coin depicts a decorative design of a dragon, phoenix, Qilin, and a tortoise respectively, and with the face value. The four 15g round commemorative silver coin depicts a decorative design of a dragon, phoenix, Qilin, and a tortoise respectively, and with the face value. **Specification and Mintage of the Coins** The 2g round commemorative gold coin, is proof coin, has diameter of 14 mm, face value of 20 yuan, and contains 2 grams of 99.9% pure gold. The maximum mintage of the four coins respectively is 30,000 pieces. The 15g round commemorative silver coin, is proof coin, has diameter of 33 mm, face value of 5 yuan, and contains 15 grams of 99.9% pure silver. The maximum mintage of the four coins respectively is 80,000 pieces.