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2024 China 35th Anniversary Dragon & Phoenix Proofs
Perfect Gold & Silver Commemoratives, with Labels Hand-Signed by the Designers
In Chinese culture, the Dragon and Phoenix have long been regarded as noble and mysterious, symbols of power, strength and good fortune, and they are widely featured in a range of Chinese art forms. The Dragon represents the emperor, and the Phoenix represents the empress. The two complementary forces are yin and yang, and they rule together with purity and wisdom.
Given the immense international popularity of China’s Panda coinage series when it was released in 1982, it’s not surprising that less than ten years later, a spectacular Dragon & Phoenix pattern coin was proposed. The new series featured an intricate, highly detailed design of a phoenix soaring above a dragon on the reverse. Departing from the Temple of Heaven seen on the Panda series, the new Dragon and Phoenix coins included China’s impressive and well-known Great Wall on the obverse. The Dragon & Phoenix design is considered particularly exquisite by Chinese numismatists.
Though the new series was initially intended to be released in 1989 for international markets (largely in the United States, Europe and Japan), the sale of these coins was curtailed due to political unrest in China that year which caused diplomatic relations with Western countries to sour. Of the 2,538 two-ounce gold and 7,328 two-ounce silver Dragon & Phoenix coins originally minted, all but a handful were melted due to large order cancellations. Today the few 1989 coins that survived are considered incredibly scarce.
Now, here in 2024, to celebrate the 35th anniversary of this historic coin, comes a commemorative proof paying homage to the original coin designs. The designs on both sides are a modern adaptation of the original 1989 Dragon & Phoenix designs, as seen through the eyes of two renowned Chinese coin designers—Mr. Zeng Chenghu (obverse), and Mr. Yu Min (reverse).
Additionally, the year 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, the most popular year of the Chinese lunar calendar, making the mythology surrounding the Dragon and Phoenix even more potent.
Stunning High Relief Designs
The reverse—recreated by famed China Panda coin designer Mr. Yu Min, the first Asian designer to win Krause Publication’s Life Achievement Award and the artist responsible for many famous Chinese coin designs such as the first-year 1983 Silver Panda Proof—portrays a dragon below and a phoenix above, two mythical creatures firmly ingrained in Chinese culture.
The obverse of this handsome Proof is the work of designer Mr. Zeng Chenghu, the same artist who created the original design for the obverse of the 1989 Dragon & Phoenix coin. It depicts the Great Wall of China, one of the most famous landmarks in the world. In addition to his work on China’s Dragon & Phoenix coin series, he is also renowned for other beautiful Chinese commemorative coins issued in his native country.
Struck in 99.9% Gold and Silver
Like the original Dragon & Phoenix coins, these China 35th Anniversary Dragon & Phoenix Commemorative Proofs are struck in 99.9% gold and 99.9% silver. They are available in the original two-ounce sizes that were minted (and then melted) in 1989, and also in the 20-ounce sizes that match the size of the largest Dragon & Phoenix coins later minted in 1990. You can also choose a 2-Pc. Set consisting of a two-ounce gold proof and a two-ounce silver proof.
What’s So Great About Proofs?
These gold and silver 35th Anniversary Dragon & Phoenix Proofs are struck to a much higher standard of beauty, quality, and craftsmanship than non-proofs. Proof planchets (blanks) are specially treated, hand-polished, and cleaned to ensure high-quality strikes, then fed into presses fitted with specially polished dies and struck at least twice, unlike regular coins which are struck only once. The extra strikes give proofs a glamorous shine and make intricate, razor-sharp details of the design pop against polished, mirror-like fields. On a good day, proof coins can be produced at a rate of 50 to 100 an hour by highly skilled artisans who are creating numismatic masterpieces. Bullion coins, on the other hand, can be produced at up to 750 coins per minute. Collectors love proofs because they’re the best quality, and also because their quantities are limited compared to circulated and non-proof pieces.
Collectors Covet the Best Quality…
For any collectible item, collectors want the finest quality available. That’s why they seek out proofs that are perfect. Proofs and coins are graded on a 70-point scale, with a grade of 70 representing absolute perfection, even under magnification. There is no higher grade.
…And These Commemoratives Are the Best Quality!
The proofs here have been certified as flawless Proof-70 (PF70) by Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC), one of the top coin-grading services in the world. Not only that, they’ve also been certified Ultra Cameo (UC), a designation recognizing the intense frosted finish on both sides, with highly polished fields accenting the raised elements. There’s simply no better condition—and no grades more desired by collectors.
What’s Better than the Best?
Further, these proofs are not only flawless, they are also certified First Day of Issue (FDI)—which means they were purchased and delivered to NGC within 24 hours of the official mint release date.
And There’s More—Hand-Signed Signature Labels
Because two famous Chinese coin designers took part in this special 35th anniversary commemorative proof release, each two-ounce gold and silver proof is encapsulated with two labels—one on each side. One side features the hand-signed signature of renowned Chinese sculptor and designer Mr. Yu Min, a giant in the field who has designed more Chinese coins than anyone else; and Mr. Zeng Chenghu, who is renowned for designing beautiful Chinese commemorative coins issued in his native country.
The 20-ounce silver and gold proofs are encapsulated with a label on the front of the NGC capsule featuring the hand-signed signature of Mr. Yu Min. Because of space limitations, this capsule doesn’t allow for a signature label to be applied to the backside.
Extremely Limited Mintages
Authorized mintages for these 2024 Dragon & Phoenix 35th Anniversary Commemorative Proofs are tiny. Just nine (9) 20-ounce gold proofs, just 89 two-ounce gold proofs, just 389 20-ounce silver proofs and just 1,989 two-ounce silver proofs were authorized. Fewer are available with perfect grades, FDI designations, and hand-signed labels.
Just take a look at these gorgeous proofs to see why they’ll hold a treasured spot in your collection!
2024 Gold & Silver China Dragon & Phoenix 35th Anniversary Commemorative 2-Pc. Set PF70 UC FDI Zeng/Yu
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2-Pc. Set:
-Two Ounces of 99.9% Silver
-Two Ounces of 99.9% Silver -
Modern Adaptations of Original 1989 Designs by Zeng Chenghu and Yu Min
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Proof Finish
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Flawless PF70 UC Grade by NGC
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NGC-Certified First Day of Issue
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Labels Hand-Signed by Zeng Chenghu & Yu Min
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Deluxe Wooden Presentation Case
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Limited Availability
2024 20-Ounce Gold China Dragon & Phoenix 35th Anniversary Commemorative PF70 UC FDI Zeng/Yu
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20 Ounces of 99.9% Gold
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Modern Adaptations of Original 1989 Designs by Zeng Chenghu and Yu Min
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Proof Finish
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Flawless PF70 UC Grade by NGC
-
NGC-Certified First Day of Issue
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Label Hand-Signed by Yu Min
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Deluxe Wooden Presentation Case
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Only 9 Authorized for Worldwide Release
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Limited Availability
2024 Two-Ounce Gold China Dragon & Phoenix 35th Anniversary Commemorative PF70 UC FDI Zeng/Yu
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Two Ounces of 99.9% Gold
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Modern Adaptations of Original 1989 Designs by Zeng Chenghu and Yu Min
-
Proof Finish
-
Flawless PF70 UC Grade by NGC
-
NGC-Certified First Day of Issue
-
Labels Hand-Signed by Zeng Chenghu & Yu Min
-
Deluxe Wooden Presentation Case
-
Only 89 Authorized for Worldwide Release
-
Limited Availability
2024 20-Ounce Silver China Dragon & Phoenix 35th Anniversary Commemorative PF70 UC FDI Zeng/Yu
-
20 Ounces of 99.9% Silver
-
Modern Adaptations of Original 1989 Designs by Zeng Chenghu and Yu Min
-
Proof Finish
-
Flawless PF70 UC Grade by NGC
-
NGC-Certified First Day of Issue
-
Labels Hand-Signed by Yu Min
-
Deluxe Wooden Presentation Case
-
Only 389 Authorized for Worldwide Release
-
Limited Availability
2024 Two-Ounce Silver China Dragon & Phoenix 35th Anniversary Commemorative PF70 UC FDI Zeng/Yu
-
Two Ounces of 99.9% Silver
-
Modern Adaptations of Original 1989 Designs by Zeng Chenghu and Yu Min
-
Proof Finish
-
Flawless PF70 UC Grade by NGC
-
NGC-Certified First Day of Issue
-
Labels Hand-Signed by Zeng Chenghu & Yu Min
-
Chinese Red Drawstring Pouch
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Only 1,989 Authorized for Worldwide Release
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Limited Availability
Don’t wait on this. This may be your only opportunity to add these spectacular 2024 35th Anniversary Dragon & Phoenix Commemorative Proofs to your collection—the best of the best, in perfect PF70 UC condition, with an FDI designation and hand-signed signature labels.
Authorized worldwide mintages are very limited and these will go fast. Hurry and secure yours now by calling 888-870-6339 right this minute!
