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Friday 15 January 2021

1631) The Dragon and The Tiger, Tuvalu Island: Two most auspicious animals in the Chinese Lunar Zodiac locked in an eternal, yet complementary battle in a balance of power: A $2 (Two Dollars - AUD) Coin minted by the Perth Mint, Australia on behalf of Tuvalu Island: Year of Coin issue: 12/2020:

1631) The Dragon and The Tiger, Tuvalu Island: Two most auspicious animals in the Chinese Lunar Zodiac locked in an eternal, yet complementary  battle in a balance of power: A $2 (Two Dollars - AUD) Coin minted by the Perth Mint, Australia on behalf of Tuvalu Island: Year of Coin issue: 12/2020:

When I came across this coin, I thought that Perth Mint, Australia had represented the border face-off between the Republic of India and Communist China in  which troops with sophisticated weaponry are ranged against each other keeping the other side in check.

It turned out that this was not the case and that  The Tiger and the Dragon are considered to be the two most auspicious animals of the Chinese Lunar Zodiac and are constantly in position against each other, thereby keeping the balance between opposing and complementary forces. How unique, that the Chinese pushed the Indian side to maintain a "complementary" balancing force against them. 

Considered to be balancing forces in feng shui, the divine dragon and the earthly tiger are depicted on this exquisite silver coin chasing a flaming pearl, a metaphor for wisdom and enlightenment.

 Revered in Chinese traditional culture, the dragon and tiger are often portrayed together as expressions of yin and yang, the ancient belief that all things in the universe consist of two opposing yet complementary forces. 

A manifestation of female or ‘yin’ (female) energy, the tiger is a lucky animal associated with strength and bravery, while the dragon represents ‘yang’ (male) energy and is a symbol of wealth and fortune.

The Obverse and Reverse of the $2 (wo Dollars) Silver Coin issued by the Perth Mint Australia on behalf of Tuvalu Island depicting the eternal struggle between the Dragon and the Tiger, which provide the balancing energies of yin and yang in the centre.

The Commemorative Coin:

This 2-ounce silver coin from Tuvalu celebrates the eternal struggle between the dragon and the tiger. The coin’s meticulously detailed reverse portrays a representation of a dragon and a tiger in pursuit of a flaming pearl.

 The Reverse of the Two Australian Dollars (AUD) Silver Coin  depicts a dragon and tiger representing the yin and yang present in all things, circling around the "Bagua," (an eight-sided motif incorporating eight Taoist trigrams). 

In its center is the "Taijitu", (the black and white symbol that denotes the interdependence of yin and yang energy). 

The Reverse carries no legends, so as to heighten the drama of the Dragon and Tiger scene, as they face off in opposition/confrontation.

The Obverse of the $2 (Two Australian Dollars - AUD) Silver Coin features an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Ian Rank-Broadley whose initials "IRB" are seen below the Queen's neck.

The peripheral inscriptions are - "ELIZABETH II. 2 OZ; 9999 SILVER. 2021. TUVALU. 2 DOLLARS".
The Presentation Case/Box in which the Coin is housed/shipped is titled - " DRAGON & TIGER ANTIQUED COIN".


The Presentation Box - open display.


The Technical Specifications of this Coin are:

Country of issue: Tuvalu Island; Denomination: $2 (Two Dollars - AUD); Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 2 Oz; Maximum Diameter: 40.60 mm; Thickness: 5.86 mm;  Mintage: 2,500 pieces; Coin Quality: Antique Finish;  Designer: Thomas Vaugh; Presentation Box/Case: Yes; Numbered Certificate of Authenticity (NCOA): Yes; Minted by: Perth Mint, Australia; Mint Mark: "P" with a background of stylised clouds; 

Remarks: 1) Each coin is housed in a prestigious timber display case within a themed shipper and is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity (NCOA).

2) The design shows the animals locked in their eternal struggle, not only for dominance, but also for balance and harmony.

3) Each coin is individually antiqued by hand to give it a unique finish conveying the surface abrasions of an aged artifact. As a result of this treatment, the appearance of each coin varies. 








Links:

1) Caves of Slovak Karst in Slovakia: A World Natural Heritage UNESCO Site: A Gold Coin of 100 Euros issued under the "World Natural Heritage" Series by the National Bank odf Slovakia, minted by the Kremnica Mint on 15.11.2017

2) Slovak National Theatre, Slovakia: Centenary Celebrations (1920-2020): A 10 Euro Silver Coin issued by the National Bank of Slovenia, minted by the Kremnica Mint: Year of issue: 2020

3) Stefan Banic (1870-1941), Slovakia: 150th Birth Anniversary of the slovak inventor of the Parachute: A 10 Euro Silver Coin in Proof (P) and Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) variants issued by the Kremnica Mint on behalf of Slovakia: Year of Coin issue: 2020

4) Josef Maximilian Petzval (06.01.1807-19.09.1891), Slovakia: A Brilliant Uncirculated Medal issued on the inventor, minted by the Mint of Slovakia, Kremnica: Year of Medal issue: 2020


Links to posts on Australia, New Zealand and Countries and Overseas Territories of the South Pacific etc on this Blog: 


































"Australian Shipwrecks" Coin Series:


Star Dreaming Coin Series:




Links to interesting Posts on coins from Tuvalu Islands:







Link to Posts from Tokelau:


Other interesting links to posts from Cook Islands minted by Coin Invest Trust:





Links to posts on issues from the Republic of Palau:


Links to Posts on coin issues from Niue Islands:












Links to posts on Coin issues from Solomon Islands:



Other links to interesting posts on Coins brought out by Coin Invest Trust on behalf of other countries:








The 7-Summits Silver Coin Series:

Links on Batman and Superman Posts on this Blog:

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