Coin | Silver Two Ounces 2021 Chinese Mythical Creatures - Double Dragon and Yin Yang Koi |
---|
|
The Tuvaluan Dollar is the currency of Tuvalu - a small nation in the Pacific Ocean. Tuvalu has never had banknotes of its own, and has been issuing coins since 1976; these circulate together with coins of the Australian Dollar, which is also legal tender in the country, and to which the Tuvaluan Dollar is pegged.
The Australian Perth Mint issues a large variety of non-circulating legal tender coins under the authority of Tuvalu. Some of these are in the silver two-ounce format (abbreviated as 2 oz). Strictly speaking, they are not bullion as they are priced at a premium and are targeted at collectors who appreciate them for their artistic merit and collectable value and not just for their precious metal content.
The Mint says about this coin: Rich in Chinese cultural references, this highly symbolic coin is meticulously crafted from 2oz of 99.99% pure silver with a design featuring vivid colour and antiquing to convey the surface abrasions of an ancient artefact.
According to ancient Chinese mythology, a school of golden koi fish swam up a fast-flowing river full of rocks and other obstacles to reach a legendary mountain waterfall known as The Dragon Gate. Despite its seemingly impassable height, one koi’s repeated efforts to reach the crest eventually proved successful. In recognition of its determination and perseverance, the gods turned it into the most auspicious mythical creature in Chinese culture - a dragon. |
Mint | Perth Mint |
Mint Mark | No mint mark |
Total Mintage | 888 |
|
Obverse | |
The obverse of the coin shows the crowned mature head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Fourth Portrait"). The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947 - which she also has on the Machin and the Gottwald portraits.
In small letters below the head, the artist's initials IRB (for Ian Rank-Broadley).
Around the effigy is the monarch's legend, the date of issue and the value: QUEEN ELIZABETH II 2oz 9999 SILVER 2021 TUVALU 2 DOLLARS.
The inscription around the rim also incorporates the precious metal content: two troy ounces of 99.99% silver. |
|
|
Reverse | |
The coin’s highly symmetrical design portrays two golden koi fish in the form of a Yin Yang (or taijitu) symbol encircled by two serpentine-shaped Chinese dragons. The transformation of the koi into a dragon is symbolised by the interconnection of their coloured whiskers.
Also included in the design is a backdrop of scrolling clouds, which are associated with deities, and lotus flowers, symbols of purity.
There is no inscription. |
|
Reverse Inscription |
(none) |
---|
|
Edge | Plain | Edge Inscription | None |
|
Notes | Silver content (Troy oz): 2.000 Finish: antique, coloured Packaging: accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity, the coin is housed in a classic display case and spectacularly illustrated shipper. Perth Mint Item ID: 21K76AAA Issue price: AU$ 288.00, US$ 193.24 |
---|
|
See also |
Coins in the Chinese Myths and Legends series issued for Tuvalu include: - 5 oz Silver, Chinese Mythical Creatures, 2015 - 5 oz Silver Coloured, The Dragon and His Nine Sons, 2015 - 5 oz Silver, The Dragon and His Nine Sons, 2016 - 5 oz Silver Antique, Dragon, 2018 - 5 oz Silver Antique Coloured, Fu, Lu and Shou, 2021 - 5 oz Silver Antique Coloured, Chinese Mythical Creatures, 2021 - 5 oz Silver Antique Coloured, Zhao Yun, 2021 - 5 oz Silver Antique Coloured, Twelve Lunar Animals, 2022 - 5 oz Silver Antique Coloured, Double Dragon and Double Tiger, 2023 - 5 oz Silver Antique Coloured, Fu, Lu and Shou, 2023 - 2 oz Silver Antique Coloured, Double Dragon and Yin Yang Koi, 2021 - 2 oz Silver Antique Coloured, Double Dragon and Double Phoenix, 2021 - 2 oz Silver Antique, Dragon and Tiger, 2021 - 2 oz Silver Antique Coloured, White Tiger, 2022 - 2 oz Silver Antique Coloured, Chinese Dragon, 2022 - 2 oz Silver Antique Coloured, Dragon and Qilin, 2022
|
---|
|