Masked dances are an ancient tradition in China, prominently featured in religious festivals and New Year celebrations. One of the best-known is the Lion Dance, which features a pair of dancers animating a lion costume and is most prominent in the south of China. There are numerous variants of South Lion or Cantonese Lion Dance, two of the most famous being Fo Shan and He Shan. The first uses kung fu movements and postures, while the second is known for its unique footwork, rich palette of expression, extra-elaborate masks, and vigorous drumming styles. Both are celebrated by the 2023 1 oz Proof Fiji Silver Auspicious Lion Dance Coin, currently available for online purchase from JM Bullion.
Coin Highlights:
- Ships in a colorful box with an individual Certificate of Authenticity!
- Issued in 2023!
- An exclusive limited mintage of 1,000 pieces!
- Contains 1 Troy oz of .999 pure silver with detailed engravings.
- Face value of $1 backed by the Republic of Fiji.
- Obverse side features Fiji’s coat of arms.
- Reverse side features a mask from China’s South Lion Dance tradition.
The masked dance goes back to remote antiquity in China and has spawned related traditions across Asia. The idea of the Lion Dance is one that probably came from lions introduced to Imperial China through trade routes from India or Persia — the country’s native lion population went extinct long before Tang Dynasty records recorded the “foreign” dances — but it grew to become a major part of Chinese culture, with the lion representing luck and safety, particularly auspicious wishes for any New Year.
The 2023 Proof Fiji Silver Auspicious Lion Dance Coin features detailed engravings offset against the mirror-like backdrops that characterize its proof-quality finish. It comes with a Certificate of Authenticity inside a colorful box, and the team at JM Bullion tracks and fully insures your shipment against any possible mishap in transit.
The obverse side features Fiji’s coat of arms — a shield flanked by Fijian warriors and crowned by a Polynesian canoe — confirming it as legal tender. The heraldic device is joined by the inscriptions “FIJI 2023,” “ONE DOLLAR,” and verifications of silver weight and purity, with the whole surrounded by a decorative rim of abstract symbols and Chinese script.
The reverse features the head of a Lion Dance costume from the South China tradition in finely engraved detail. The background engraving evokes the decorative rim as seen on the coin’s obverse side.
Reach out to JM Bullion for more information about silver for sale. Call us at 800-276-6508, chat with us live online or send any inquiries you have to our e-mail address, and we’ll make sure you get the answers you need.