Explore the Mysterious World of the Dragon on Coins
by Sebastian Wieschowski
The Perth Mint from Australia is known for its splendid gold and silver investment coins. Besides the standard program featuring the kangaroo, kookaburra, and koala, the Australians also issue individual, strictly limited gold and silver coins that are minted according to the investment standard of one ounce but also appeal to investors due to their limited availability. At the forefront: The Chinese dragon. Since 2017, the Perth Mint has been issuing annually a dragon coin combined with another motif from the world of Chinese myths and legends, such as "Dragon and Phoenix" (2018) or "Dragon and Tiger" (2019). With a mintage of only 5,000 pieces, these gold coins are among the rarest Australian investment coins.
These coins are particularly popular this year, as 2024 is the year of the dragon. In the Chinese zodiac, this year, which occurs every 12 years, is particularly significant and considered one of the most powerful and auspicious signs. The dragon itself is one of the central legendary figures in Chinese mythology and culture.
Unlike the often fearsome depictions in Western mythology, the dragon in China is seen as a being of great wisdom, power, and luck. In Chinese culture, the dragon symbolizes power, superiority, and the good. It is often associated with rain and water, which is of great importance to an agrarian society. Thus, the dragon can be seen as a bringer of prosperity and a good harvest year. Additionally, it also represents imperial power and is often used as a symbol for the emperor himself.
The year of the dragon repeats every twelve years in the Chinese zodiac cycle - and accordingly, the dragon is minted every twelve years in lunar commemorative coin series. However, it also has its own series in the form of the "Myths and Legends" from the Perth Mint. People born in the year of the dragon are considered energetic, charismatic, ambitious, and independent. Many believe that being born in the year of the dragon brings luck and success. Therefore, in dragon years, there is often an increase in the birth rate, as many families hope that their children will be born under this auspicious zodiac sign.
The dragon also appears in numerous myths and legends that are documented in the Perth Mint's gold coin series. It is not only a cultural symbol but also a divine being in the religious landscape of China. In many stories, he is depicted as a guardian of treasures, secrets, or even the entire world. The dragon can live in the air, in the water, and on land, making it a symbol of universality and boundlessness.
Sebastian Wieschowski has been collecting coins since childhood and, after working as a journalist with a focus on finance and economy, has switched his focus on coins and precious since 2012. He is the author of several self-published books on Bullion Coins, Panda Coins, Fake Coins and Coin Grading and works for numismatic magazines. He is also a recurring expert on the German television program Münzengalerie (Coin Gallery), the longest running numismatic television show in the world. You can find out more about his work at coinosseur.com
