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In Stock & Ready For Immediate Shipment!
Sold Out RAPIDLYat the Perth Mint!
Tuvalu2025 Golden Imperial Dragon Chasing Flaming Pearl of Wisdom withAuspicious Symbols $3 3 TroyOunce Pure Silver Proof Piedfort with Color—MINTAGE 500MINTAGE ONLY500! Get the Golden Imperial Dragon before it sells out and the priceskyrockets! This dramatic, special edition, 3 troyounce pure silver beauty depicts aChinese imperial dragonchasing the flaming pearl of wisdom, struck in full color!Historically, only the Chinese royal family were allowed to own dragonart and furnishing, and wear the dragon on their embroidery and clothing. TheEmperor, considered the \"true dragon,\" displayed thissymbol prominently on his robes, as a testament to his supremacy. This is because, in Chineseculture, the dragon serves as the ultimate source of imperial authority, power, wisdom, and strength,revered as a divine creature that brings fortune andprosperity.The coin depicts an exquisitely detailedGolden Imperial Dragon in all its glory. The legendary creature ischasing aflaming pearl, a metaphor for ultimate knowledge and wisdom, in amystical landscape encompassing auspicioustalismans from traditional Chinese culture (see complete inventorybelow). Thereare no legends on the obverse,to further enhance the beauty and heightenthe drama of theGoldenImperial Dragon as it chases the flaming pearl of wisdom.This vibrantly colored pure silver beauty is struckby the Perth Mint on a hefty 2 inch wide (50 mm), extra-thick planchet(it is a piedfort)with a frosted cameo proof finish. Between the extremely popularChinesemotifs, beautiful design and limited mintage, heed ouradvice—stock up on these stunning, 3 troy ounce, puresilver coins while you can!Auspicious Symbolism
The Dragon is the most important, but not the only, auspicious symbolon this vibrant proof piedfort! Other meaningful talismans conveyingblessings from traditional Chinese culture include: Lotus Flowers—representingbeauty and enlightenment
Peaches—longevity
Koi Fish—perseverance
Blue clouds—divine favor (saidto be created from dragon\'s breath)
Bats—good fortune &happiness
Ocean Waves—power
Lingzhi Mushrooms—success& potency
Mountain Peaks—stability andpower
...and our favorite...
Square-Hole Cash Coins, representingwealthBecause of the desirabilityof the Imperial Dragontheme,the beefy threefull troy ounces of pure silver, the gorgeous coloration, the cameo proof finish, thehefty 6 mmthickness—to say nothing of the tinymintage of just 500—a rapid sell-out at thePerth Mint was expected an has occurred!
The Mythical Dragon and theFlaming Pearl
The dragon is often portrayed chasing a luminous or flaming pearl. InChinese culture, the dragon is revered asa divine mythicalcreature, a symbol of power, strength, wealth, and good fortune.The pearlis viewed as a metaphor for wisdom, enlightenment and spiritualessence. It is also said to rid a person of their troubles, bringingcareer success as well as good fortune, wealth and good health.From an artistic perspective,dragonsare frequently depicted in pursuit of the flaming pearl. To representthe elusive nature of wisdom and enlightenment, the pearl istypicallyrepresented as swirling through mist, smoke, cloudandshadow. The dragonsare traditionally shown with theirtheir eyes wide open andtheirmouths agape, asthey endeavor to catch this eternal treasure!The Dragon
The Oriental or Chinese concept of the dragon is much different thanthe European notion of this beast. Whereas in the West dragons arenearly always evil, fire breathing creatures of immense size anddestructiveness, in the East they are beloved. Chinese dragons arebenevolent, representing most auspicious powers, particularly controlover water, rainfall, and floods. In yin and yang terminology, a dragonis yang (male) and perfectly complements a yin (female) fenghuang, themythical \"Chinese phoenix\".The dragonis a mystical being, able to use an almost unlimited range of magicalor supernatural powers. It is able to disguise itself as a silkworm, orbecome as large as our entire universe. It can fly among the clouds orhide in water. It can form clouds,turn into water or fire,becomeinvisible or glow in the dark. It is interesting to note that theOriental dragon\'s ability to fly is a magical (not a physical)ability;unlike European dragons, Chinese dragons are rarelyif everdepicted with physical wings.Historically, the dragon was thesymbol of the Emperor of China. Many pictures of oriental dragons showa flaming pearl under their chin. The pearl is associated with wealth,good luck, and prosperity. In Chinese culture, the pearl alsosymbolizes perfection, which is only obtained through the highest formsof wisdom. As such, the pearl is retained in the clutches of thedragon, who, like the emperor, reveals great \"pearls of wisdom\" as itbestows abundance and prosperity upon its people.Please see thepresentation lower on this page for more information about Tuvalu andits association with Australia.Investment Note
This pure silver coin features the most powerful and auspiciousof all the animals in ancient Chinese mythology—the Dragon!With its highly detailed andwell-executed design, high relief, vibrant full color, significantprecious metal content, auspicioustheme and extremely low mintage (only 500), we expect this gemto sell out quickly. Don\'tdelay, get this beauty today!What is a Piedfort?
Popularwith collectors for more than a century, and always hard tofind, piedforts are highly sought after. We get asked all the time,\"What is a piedfort?\" There are two different, but related, stories ofthe origin of the word \"piedfort\". The first says that it literallymeans \"strong foot\" in French (from pied, foot and fort,strong). The second says this word was appropriated by the mintcenturies ago to mean \"heavy measure\" or \"heavy weight\". In both cases,the sense of serious heft to the coin is obvious.Often the word \"piedfort\" is translated as \"double-thick\", but this isneither a literal translation nor a precisely accurate definition.Numismatically speaking, any coin that is 50% or more thicker than astandard version qualifies as apiedfort, although somepiedforts are, indeed, twice as thick as normal.Finally, the age-old question, \"How is the word pronounced?\" Comingfrom French, it is not pronounced as it is spelled; that is, don\'t say,\"pide - fort\". Rather, \"pee - ay - four\" (three syllables) is a see above for description.There are no legends on theobverse,to further enhance the beauty and heightenthe drama of theGolden Imperial Dragon vignette!Reverse
His Majesty, King Charles III, in profile effigy facing left. Thisportrait was executed by the engraver Jody Clark. The legend KINGCHARLESIII, the date and thedenomination also appear.The legend 3 OZ 9999 SILVERguaranteesthe weight and purity.Packaging
The coin is housed inside a handsome blackish taupeleatherette,clamshell-style presentation case, lined with black velvet and satin,and protected by a full-color outer box. An individually-numberedcertificate of authenticity is included.
Purchaser will be required to provide identity and address verification.
Specifications Country Tuvalu Mint Perth Mint of Australia Yearof Issue 2025 FaceValue ThreeDollars Weight 93.32g Diameter 50.00mm Gauge(Thickness) 6.00 mm Mintage Limit 500 Finish Proofwith Full Color Composition .9999Fine (Pure) Silver Edge Plain Artist Natasha Muhl (obverse)
Jody Clark (reverse) Certificate Individually Numbered
The Island Nation ofTuvalu
Tuvalu, formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is aPolynesianisland nation located in the Pacific Ocean midway between Hawaii andAustralia. Its nearest neighbors are Kiribati, Samoa and Fiji. It iscomprised of four reef islands and five true atolls. Its population of11,992 makes it the third-least populated independent country in theworld, with only Vatican City and Nauru having fewer inhabitants. It isalso the second-smallest member by population of the United Nations. Interms of physical land size, at just 10 square miles Tuvalu is thefourth smallest country in the world, larger only than the VaticanCity, Monaco and Nauru.The first inhabitants of Tuvalu were Polynesian people, who arrivedabout 3000 years go. The islands came under Great Britain\'s sphere ofinfluence in the late 19th century. The Ellice Islands wereadministered by Britain as part of a protectorate from 1892 to 1916 andas part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony from 1916 to 1974. In1974 the Ellice Islanders voted for separate British dependency statusas Tuvalu, separating from the Gilbert Islands which became Kiribatiupon independence. Tuvalu became fully independent within TheCommonwealth in 1978. with Queen Elizabeth II as titular head of state.Because Tuvalu has few natural resources it has been dependent inrecent years upon aid from larger, more developed nations, includingAustralia, New Zealand and the United States. The Perth Mint ofAustralia is officially commissioned by the government of Tuvalu toproduce legal tender coinage for the island nation.
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