In Chinese mythology, the dragon is one of the most powerful symbols across the ages. Dating back as a mythological entity thousands of years, dragons were appearing in prehistoric Chinese art well before the advent of writing. A far cry from the fire-breathing monsters of the Western tradition, the Chinese dragon was wise and benevolent, strongly associated with water and weather, and eventually identified with the Emperor. They were often depicted with a flaming pearl that symbolized power and immortality, as is the case on the 2022 2 oz Antique Niue Silver Pearl and Dragon Coin now available from JM Bullion.
Coin Highlights:
- Ships in a high-quality presentation case with a Certificate of Authenticity!
- Issued in 2022!
- Limited mintage of only 500 coins!
- Contains 2 Troy oz of .999 Fine Silver, with selective gilding.
- Face value of $5 (NZD) as legal tender of Niue.
- Obverse side features an effigy of Elizabeth II.
- Reverse side features a Chinese dragon with a flaming pearl.
Among their various roles in the mythology of China, dragons were effectively weather deities and were often identified with large bodies of water. The four major Dragon Kings were identified with the East and South China Seas and Lakes Qinghai and Baikal, for example, and in times of drought or flooding it was common for villages to offer up sacrifices to the dragons. They were depicted as chimerical combinations of the attributes of many animals — featuring for example the antlers of a stag, the tail of a snake, the scales of a carp, and the claws of an eagle — and were always connected with wisdom and power.
Those are the traits of the dragon on the 2022 Antique Niue Silver Pearl and Dragon Coin, which showcases its subject in a gorgeous antique finish that brings out its detailed engravings in striking detail. Shipped in a presentation case with its own Certification of Authenticity, each coin bears touches of selective gilding and a decorative pearl inset.
The coin’s obverse side features a legal tender effigy of Queen Elizabeth II surrounded by a broad border of dragon scales, along with the inscriptions verifying the coin’s weight and silver contents, hers and the issuing country’s names, the date of issue, and the face value.
On the reverse is a lovingly-detailed Chinese dragon in a traditional pose with a flaming inset pearl of wisdom — set apart by the gilding of the “flames” — issuing from its mouth. It’s accompanied by the inscription “Pearl and Dragon.”
For more information about any of our silver coins for sale, contact the team at JM Bullion by phone at 800-276-6508. You can also reach us via e-mail or through our online live chat.
“Beautiful coin, beautiful display box. The pictures do not do this coin justice. The clear case the coin is housed in tightly holds it in place. The pearl is brilliantly highlighted by the golden flames.”