The Royal Mint has unveiled an exclusive 8kg gold proof coin to celebrate Chinese New Year, the Year of the Tiger as part its Masterworks collection and popular Shēngxiào line.
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Impressive 8kg gold proof coin
The impressive 8kg gold proof coin was created by a team of master craftsmen at The Royal Mint, using traditional minting skills alongside the latest innovative technology.
Modern techniques were called upon with engraving machines being used to carefully cut the design onto the 8kg coin over a period of 200 hours!
A uniquely titled ‘Master Toolmaker’ then hand worked the coin, carefully papering and burnishing the surface of the metal to remove any marks made by the cutting process to elevate the finish of the design, before undergoing 100 hours of hand polishing.
The coin’s design blends elements of traditional British style with ancient Chinese culture.
The tiger face on one side, and an additional character for king “王” originate from patterns seen in its head to indicate wealth or supremacy.
8 is considered the luckiest number
The weight (8kg) was chosen due to beliefs that the number 8 is considered the luckiest number in Chinese culture and one associated with wealth and prosperous.
Clare Maclennan, Divisional Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint said:
“The Royal Mint began the Shēngxiào Collection in 2014, combining centuries of British craftsmanship and artistic skills with Chinese tradition – creating the first official UK Lunar coins. Ahead of Chinese New Year, we are thrilled to introduce the first ever 8kg coin as part of the collection celebrating the Year of the Tiger and the latest in our ‘Masterworks’ series which offer unique works of art for collectors, exclusively from The Royal Mint. The coin design is a beautiful fusion of British craftsmanship and Chinese tradition featuring the tiger prominently in the centre of the design.”
The Royal Mint’s Shēngxiào Collection
The Royal Mint’s Shēngxiào Collection is a celebration of the UK’s diverse multi-cultural society, lending a unique British angle to this ancient custom.
The Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle with each year characterised by a different animal.
The tiger is a well-loved and respected creature in Chinese culture.
They’re typically brave, unyielding creatures that represent power to those who hold them dear for years past; they also symbolize majesty with righteousness, making this animal one of the most significant symbols created.
8kg gold coin for Chinese New Year
The Royal Mint is releasing the luxurious Lunar Year of the Tiger collectable coin in gold, silver and base metal finishes.