Celebrate the most auspicious
Year of the Dragon
with this TRULY RARE (mintage = 1,000) Euro coin, minted in precious gold!
Centuries
ago, the Chinese invented a calendar based on the lunar (rather than
the solar) cycle. There are twelve animals in the Chinese lunar zodiac,
each corresponding in sequence to a year rather than a month. Because
of their low mintage and intricate and elaborate designs, the coins in
the
Chinese
Lunar Zodiac program minted by
Monnaie
de Paris are sought after and, in most cases, very hard to
find!
The Year of
the Dragon - Most Powerful and Auspicious!
Centuries ago, the Chinese invented a calendar based on
the
lunar (rather than the solar) cycle. There are twelve animals in the
Chinese lunar zodiac, each corresponding in sequence to a year rather
than a month.
In 2012 we celebrate the
Year
of the Dragon.
According to tradition,
people born during a Year of the Rabbit (1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952,
1964,
1976, 1988, 2000, and 2012) are said to exhibit that animal’s
attributes. While Dragons frequently help others, rarely will they ask
for help. Others are attracted to Dragons, especially their colorful
personalities, but deep down, Dragons prefer to be alone. Perhaps that
is because they’re most successful when working alone. Their
preference to be alone can come across as arrogance or conceitedness,
but these qualities aren't applicable. Dragons have tempers that
can flare fast! They’re driven, unafraid of challenges, and
willing to take risks.
They’re passionate in all they do and they do things in grand
fashion.
This is the eighth animal in the
French
Lunar Zodiac
series. All previously issued gold coins in this series have
sold out quickly at the Mint, and we expect the Dragon to follow suit.
The Dragon
The Oriental or Chinese concept of the dragon is much different than
the European notion of this beast. Whereas in the West dragons are
nearly always evil, fire breathing creatures of immense size and
destructiveness, in the East they are beloved. Chinese dragons are
benevolent, representing most auspicious powers, particularly control
over water, rainfall, and floods. In yin and yang terminology, a dragon
is yang (male) and perfectly complements a yin (female)
fenghuang, the
mythical "Chinese phoenix".
The dragon is a mystical being, able to use an almost
unlimited range
of magical or supernatural powers. It is able to disguise itself as a
silkworm, or become as large as our entire universe. It can fly among
the clouds or hide in water. It can form clouds, turn into
water
or fire, become invisible or glow in the dark. It is interesting to
note that the Oriental dragon's ability to fly is a magical (not a
physical) ability; unlike European dragons, Chinese dragons
are
rarely if ever depicted with physical wings.
Historically, the dragon was the symbol of the Emperor of China. Many
pictures of oriental dragons show a flaming pearl under their chin. The
pearl is associated with wealth, good luck, and prosperity. In Chinese
culture, the pearl also symbolizes perfection, which is only obtained
through the highest forms of wisdom. As such, the pearl is retained in
the clutches of the dragon, who, like the emperor, reveals great
"pearls of wisdom" as it bestows abundance and prosperity upon its
people.
Investment Note
This coin features the most powerful and auspicious of all the animals
in the Chinese Lunar Zodiac -
the
Dragon.
The dragon is always the most popular animal, and always sells out.
Previous Year of the Dragon coins now sell for many multiples of their
issue prices.
Don't
delay, tame your dragon today!
Obverse
A sensational rendering
of a mythical Chinese dragon. It is
surrounded by an intricately-engraved
oriental border design. The legends in French and Chinese translate as
"Year of the Dragon - 2012".
Reverse
The reverse features a
portrait of
Jean de la Fontaine, the French poet famous for writing a collection of
fables, known today as Fables
de la Fontaine.
Many of his stories, borrowed from the Greek poet Aesop's, involve
animals that act like people. Each short tale is designed to teach a
lesson or as a comment on human behavior. All twelve animals of the
Chinese lunar calendar are also depicted (all can be found in his
fables), along with the year of issue and the denomination.
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