I'm fond of dragons. I especially like dragons depicted on gold and silver. The problem isn't with finding one, but with finding one that looks like a respectable dragon should.
What I mean by this is many set out with good intentions, but fall short. A dragon should be ferocious and terrifying. No offense to the Perth Mint, but their depiction of a dragon is terrible, and most other mints typically follow suit. Here's an example:
(Source)
See what I mean? It's a nice coin, but in my opinion it's not a very "cool" looking dragon.
Now, let's look at a VERY cool dragon, the Hydra! The Hydra is a dragon with multiple heads. It typically has wings, but unlike traditional dragons, it can't actually fly.
Obverse
The obverse depicts the Tanzanian coat of arms. On the coat of arms there is a native shield resting on top of a depiction of Mount Kilimanjaro. The shield is supported on both sides by a male and female mative. (Source)
Reverse
Now, THIS is a dragon! You have a great close-up feature of one of the many heads. In the background you can see the other heads facing different directions and in different poses, giving it a sense of life and action to it. The level of detail here is fantastic!
Specifications
I love that the mintage is only 499 pieces. I only paid $99 for this amazing coin! Everywhere I see this online it's priced at $150. I can see this coin easily appreciating far above that value in time. Tanzania certainly knows how to design a great looking dragon!
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