2017 Palau $10 2-oz Silver Chinese Guardian Lion High Relief NGC PF70

Honoring an Ancient Chinese Tradition

Some two thousand years ago, lions were introduced into Chinese culture from Indian culture, with Buddhism playing an important role in the transfer. Since that period, which correlates with the Han dynasty, stone lions have guarded important sites, such as palaces, tombs, and government officials. In recent years, the tradition has become increasingly popular in other parts of the world, with lions guarding the homes of wealthy people, hotels, banks, and government buildings, such as the New York Public Library. The lions are often depicted in pairs, one male and one female, with the male resting his paw on a sphere and his mate holding back her cub. Such is the case with this stunning two piece 2017 Palau two ounce Silver Chinese Guardian Lion Proof set.

• CELEBRATING A CHINESE TRADITION -- Guardian lions are an ancient Chinese tradition that has spread in popularity throughout the world. This proof set is the latest way of honoring that tradition.

• STUNNING BLACK PROOF FINISH -- CIT employed smartmintiing© technology to give this coin a unique black proof finish that offers exceptional depth and detail. Each coin was struck from two ounces of 99.9% fine silver.

• PALAU LEGAL TENDER -- Each 2017 Silver Guardian Lion Proof is $10 legal tender in the island nation of Palau. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, Palau consists of approximately 340 islands and is known for its stunning beaches and world-renowned SCUBA diving.

• CERTIFIED FLAWLESS -- Your coins will be certified Proof-70 (PF70) by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), a distinction that means your perfectly-graded proofs will have ZERO imperfections -- showing all features and fields exactly as the engraver and mint intended!

• A LIMITED MINTAGE -- The number eight symbolizes luck in Chinese culture, so it is fitting that CIT would set a mintage limit of 888 sets.

Just about everyone who lives in or has visited a major city anywhere in the world has seen at least one pair of Chinese Guardian Lions, even if they did not realize their history or what they were called at the time. Foo Dogs, as they are often called, are so common that they are virtually taken for granted at upscale hotels, mansions, and other important and/or expensive buildings. The remarkable history of these protectors dates back over two millennia, making them the sort of tradition that coin collectors love. Though the figures depicted on the coins in this two piece 2017 Palau 2-oz Silver Chinese Guardian Lion Proof Set are known throughout the world, the limited mintage of just 888 sets means that just a few collectors will have the opportunity to own one. Order yours while you still can at GovMint.com!