From the Category of; Pictures can't come close in doing this coin any justice.
“Black birds tend to like shiny things.” ~ The Bloody Raven.
I originally started writing this post Wednesday for a different Dragon coin/round but there is now a Nyssacat twist to this story. I recall getting the new release email hot from the Royal Canadian mint and before the email can cool down my friend wanted me to order this coin on his behalf. Recall that he is ardent collector of the Dragon theme.
The package arrived Friday afternoon to my surprise when the delivery date was supposed to be February the 16th rather than immediate. I can presume that the Mint will be hoping for a good customer satisfaction response. Naturally, I don’t bother with Customer surveys unless I have an issue.
The Coin!
Opening the black clamshell case and was awed.
First off was the capsule is a bit hefty and it does distort/ impair the view of the legend and border if I do not position my eye exactly perpendicular to the coin. The capsule could have been slightly bigger diameter. I admit, being a tactile sort of person I had to fight the urge to remove the coin from the capsule. Since this will be a gift I will let him decide whether to release this beast.
The Royal Canadian Mint described this as EHR, Extraordinary High Relief. From my understanding there are far more complexities that go into striking coins of high relief in order to retain the designs details, a marvelous Mint feat and a Minting industry first.
The Dragon is in the Details.
In my opinion this has to be Artist Simon Ng’s best work for the Royal Canadian Mint. This has to be his favorite animal of the Chinese Zodiac. Under the moonlight the Wood element Dragon reveals itself from the heavens to the people and ushers in the promise of growth, progress, creativity and good fortune. The tail coils into the lucky number eight (8). The mane of the dragon bears a subtle resemblance to wood grain but distinct from the coin’s laser etched wood grain border.
The various cameo frosting finishes adds depth and texture that enhance the dramatic three dimensional effect as we turn this coin from the reverse to the obverse. A remarkable achievement of Minting skill and technology I can’t see duplicated by the lost wax process.
Queen Elizabeth II appears from behind the Moon which makes the ideal idea location of her effigy. That makes me wonder what is Ng’s parallel inference to the Chinese Moon goddess Chang’e?
In Summary...
The 2024 $50 Canada Year of the Dragon is a marvelous example of taking the Royal Canadian mint’s cutting edge minting technology to its limits paired to a challenging coin design makes this an appealing coin to both the technically minded collector as well as the staunch Theme collector. Meanwhile, the Premium of these coins will put them well beyond objectives of typical silver Stackers, but what a silver coin!
Nyssacat, You're gonna love this coin, Happy Birthday, way in advance!🎂
The RCM's promotional CGI Video did convey the ideal of a three dimensional effect but seeing it first hand is a sight to behold and result is simply amazing.
May the Dragon bring you prosperity of the New Year my friends
The #piratesunday tag is the scurvy scheme of Captain @stokjockey for #silvergoldstackers pirates to proudly showcase their shiny booty and plunder for all to see. Landlubbers arrrh… welcomed to participate and be a Pirate at heart so open yer treasure chests an’ show us what booty yea got!
References
2024 Canada $50 Year of the Dragon.
The Royal Canadian Mint.
Cameo Raven Brooch from The Black Wardrobe
Silversaver’s 2023 Hive Silver Round, to order this 2023 Hive round.
Black Dragon banner is from Nyssacat's garden.
My own pictures and video shot with an aging 2018 Samsung SM-A530W
P. Image under Pixabay
W. Wiki Commons
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