The Shanghai Stock Market Crash and China Gold Demand

What Does it mean for the future of the gold market?

At present, up to 12 trillion yuan stays in domestic residents' saving accounts. The launch of individual gold investment, therefore, will allow residents to change currency assets into gold assets. At the macro level, it will expand channels for changing savings into investment, thus adjusting the money supply; in the micro aspect, allowing citizens to trade and keep gold can improve social welfare, benefiting both the country and the population.

Moreover, with the dual attributes of common commodity and currency commodity, gold is a desirable instrument for hedging. Therefore, developing gold trade for individuals is practical." – Zhou Xiaochuan, Governor, the People's Bank of China.

Shanghai stocks have fallen over 30% since mid-June. The equivalent in U.S. terms would be for the DJIA to fall 6000 points to the 11,000 level – a crash by any definition. Most of the commentary on this important subject has centered around the potential contagion effect for stock markets in the rest of Asia and beyond. There is another aspect to the crash worth considering though, and that has to do with the effect it will have on Chinese gold demand.

The Chinese people, it is well known, already have a cultural affinity to gold. That attachment just received a shot of adrenaline. Prior to June, trading volumes on the Shanghai Gold Exchange (SGE) were already running 20% higher than the previous year. Now, with crash psychology affecting thinking up and down the spectrum of investors, SGE is reporting volumes off the charts. In early July, Want China Times reported that "SGE posted a record trading volume of 48.33 million grams in a single day in late June." (48.3 metric tonnes, a big number.)



Typically stock market crashes inspire gold demand. In the case of China, where the government and central bank encourage citizen gold ownership as a matter of public policy, that lesson could become enshrined in the national psyche. The important consideration for investors elsewhere around the globe is what effect even stronger gold demand from China will have on the gold price both now and in the future.

Flow of physical metal between buyers and sellers will govern prices in China not paper trades

Ever since 2011 when China's demand began to ratchet up, clients have asked how the price of gold could be stagnant to down under the circumstances. The short answer to that question is that price discovery for gold does not occur in the physical market, but in the multi-trillion dollar leveraged paper trade in London and New York – a volume that dwarfs the physical delivery market. Now China is about to challenge that price discovery mechanism through significant infrastructure changes slated to take effect by the end of the year.

This new construct has as its base China's fundamental understanding and goals with respect to gold as summarized by Peoples Bank of China governor Zhou Xiaochuan in our masthead quote above; its affinity for delivered physical ownership, as opposed to paper-based metal; and, the official measures it has undertaken to make inroads into the international gold market's price discovery mechanism.

To gain a better understanding of how China is likely to affect price discovery in the gold market, let's start with something of interest that surfaced as a result of the recent Shanghai crash. Financial Times reported rumors floating the markets that Goldman Sachs was responsible for manipulating stocks downward. Officials denied those rumors and a spokesman for the exchange stated that "foreign investors with access to the futures market via theQualified Foreign Institutional Investor (QFII) program were only permitted to use futures for hedging operations and are not allowed to make directional bets. 

All recent trades by QFIIs complied with regulations." Of course if any manipulation of stocks were to occur, it would be executed in the leveraged futures market where bets can be placed at pennies on the dollar.

Up until I read that quote I was unaware of the strict procedures governing foreign trading on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE), China's only futures trading venue. A further investigation, helped along with some links from Koos Jansen, the Netherlands based expert on China's burgeoning gold market, revealed stringent rules governing trade on the SHFE for domestic participants as well, though not quite as stringent as the rules for foreigners. 

At the heart of those rules, SHFE imposes strict position limitations and margin requirements on traders in order to keep price speculation (or directional bets to use its term) to a minimum. Futures trading in China, clearly is meant to serve as an adjunct to the physical market instead of the other way around as it is in western gold trading centers. 

Hedging is maximized. Speculation is minimized. Leverage is controlled within reasonable parameters.

Link SHFE "Operational Manual for Gold Futures Contract Trading"

Chinese Demand for Silver Bullion Halved in 2014

Silver bars weren’t very popular last year — especially in China, where demand fell by half.

Chinese demand for silver bullion bars dropped 52% in 2014 from a year earlier, to 6.2 million ounces, according to the The Silver Institute’s annual World Silver Survey, which was produced by the GFMS team at Thomson Reuters. That was the lowest level since 2010.

“The sharp decline was attributed to the continual implementation of the anticorruption policy, which served a severe blow to the gifting sector, including bars,” according to the survey, which was released Wednesday.

A steep drop in silver prices certainly didn’t help. Silver futures SIN5, +0.79% on Comex fell nearly 20% last year, following a 36% plunge in 2013.

Total global demand for silver bullion bars fell 31% last year to 88.4 million ounces — in value, that’s about a $1.7 billion drop, the survey said.

Andrew Leyland, manager for precious metals demand at Thomson Reuters GFMS, told MarketWatch in an interview that he was surprised to see how weak demand from China actually was.

The government crackdown in gifting and its anticorruption campaign, along with a “softening of economic sentiment through the course of 2014,” impacted bar buying in China, he said. “A lot of luxury goods sectors didn’t have a particularly good year.”

Globally, investment in silver coins and bars fell by 20% last year to 196 million ounces, the survey said.

There was a slowdown in European buying of silver bars and coins, primarily due to an increase in sales tax in Germany that was applied to silver from the beginning of 2014, Leyland said.

He pointed out, however, that the market was coming from a record base year in 2013. Last year’s bar and coin investment figure was still the second highest on record.

And though the world’s silver mine production was up a 12th straight year in 2014 and supplies of the metal were at their highest in about 4 years, the market still saw a supply deficit of 4.9 million ounces last year.

Looking ahead, Leyland expects silver-mine supply to decline and is looking for growth in a number of demand sectors. He forecast an average silver price of $16.50 an ounce for this year.

Prices will see some short-term weakness, but are likely to end the year at more than $17 an ounce, with a couple of years of modest price increases to follow, he said.

2015 Chinese Panda Silver and Gold Coins No Longer Display Weight

Commencing from 2015, according to the People’s Republic of China national’s “Measurement Law” and the People’s Bank of China’s requirement, the gold and silver coins will be issued under the legal measurement of Metric System, i.e. grams, Kilogram and etc. 

The issuance of the gold and silver coins under the measurement of the Imperial System “Ounce” will be discontinued. Furthermore, from 2015 onward, the weight of the Chinese Panda Gold coins will no longer be stated on the coins. 

This has made the 2014 Chinese Panda Gold Coins with “Ounce” to be even more significant for collection.

Since Bank of China (Malaysia) Berhad’s announcement for the pre-booking on 21 May 2014, the Chinese Panda Gold Coins was overwhelmed by the market, registration has been increased rapidly. 

In order to fulfill customers’ needs, Bank of China (Malaysia) Berhad has made a soft launching on 6 June 2014 for the registered customers. And now, the Bank is proud to announce the official launch for the 2014 Chinese Panda Gold Coins to the public. 

 

The Chinese Panda Gold Coin is a legal tender Coin issued by the People’s Bank of China for 33 years continuously. It has the investment and memorable value, and potentially high collectible value. 

Being very unique in the coins mintage world, it has been awarded both locally and overseas recurrently and appreciated by the collectors from all the countries. The theme of the Chinese Panda Gold Coins is the national treasure of the People’s Republic of China, setting the bamboo as the background well demonstrated the harmonious and happy life.

2015 Panda Changes - Summary:

2015 Gold / Silver Pandas will no longer have the weight stamped on the reverse. It will be Panda motive as it is currently but without stating its weight.

The China Mint will be marketing the Panda Bullion Coins in grams and kilos (Kilograms) instead of ounces. 

At this stage it is unknown if they will introduce new sizes such as 25/50/100/1000 gram or stay with the current 3.1, 31.1g, 155.5g, 311g 

In order to better reveal the lively and playful character and the black and white colour of the panda, designers using the white and black effects that generated from the glossy and dark appearance of the gold refraction and reflection to invent the intaglio refraction method, at the same time using the drum opposite sandblasting technology to make the black and white colour of the panda become more three-dimensional.

Welcome all to visit any of Bank of China (Malaysia) Berhad branches to place your order.

2013 LUNAR SNAKE SILVER 1oz 999 Gainesville Coins Bullion Round

2013 LUNAR SNAKE SILVER 1oz 999 Gainesville Coins Bullion Round - Brilliant proof like strike

The 2013 1 oz Silver Year of the Snake Round is made of .999 fine silver and is 1 troy oz in weight. The silver Year of the Snake bullion round is one of the many privately minted products we offer here at Gainesville Coins. 

This silver round is Made in the U.S.A. and has a proof-like finish. Although this is not a legal tender coin, it is made of one troy ounce of 99.9% pure silver. Buy silver rounds for their unique design and their low premium over spot compared to nationally minted coins.

This round was created to celebrate the Chinese Zodiac 2013 Year of the Snake, as each year associated with the snake has a different symbol. 

The Years of the Snake include: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, and 2013. Those born in the Year of the Snake have a strong sense of morality and wisdom, and are considered exceptionally mysterious.

The obverse of the round depicts the image of a coiled snake amidst a forest of bamboo, as well as the Chinese symbol for "snake." 

The reverse of the coin bears a centered inscription of, "2013 Year of the Snake," along with the weight and fineness of the silver round, "One Troy Ounce, .999 Fine Silver," and once again the Chinese symbol for "snake."

1993 PANDA CHINA SILVER 1oz 999 Bullion Round

A 1993 PANDA CHINA SILVER 1oz 999 Bullion Round with crimson toning around the rims.

2014 Chinese Panda 1oz Silver 999 10 Yuan Legal Tender Coin

China first introduced the Silver Panda coin series in 1983, and every year since, a new variation of the Panda series has been introduced.

Shown on the the reverse of the 2014 Chinese Panda silver coins is a Panda grappling with a tree brnch. Incorporated into the design is the face value of the strike with the coin's weight and fineness shown beneath.

On the obverse of each coin, the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (The Temple of Heaven) of Beijing is depicted. Obverse inscriptions include the Chinese characters for People's Republic of China and the year. 

The 1 oz coin has a nominal face value of 10 yuan, and has a silver purity of .999. Each coin is 40 millimeters in diameter, and a weight of 31.1 grams.

2014 Silver Chinese Pandas are also available in 5oz and 1Kilogram (1kg)

2013 Panda Coins to Be Released on November 20th, 2012

The 2013 gold and silver panda commemorative coins are to be released by People’s Republic of China on November 20^th, 2012, which include 10 coins, 7 gold and 3 silver.

Patterns 

 

The front side pattern is the Qinian Palace of the Temple of Heaven, Beijing, the country name, and the year; the reverse pattern is the pandas drinking water, face value, weight, and fineness.

 

Specification and mintage 

 

(1)   The 1/20 oz round gold commemorative coins are bullion coins, containing 1/20 oz pure gold, with diameter of 14mm, face value of RMB20 Yuan, fineness of 99.9%, and max. mintage of 800000.

(2) The 1/10 oz round gold commemorative coins are bullion coins, containing 1/10 oz pure gold, with diameter of 18mm, face value of RMB50 Yuan, fineness of 99.9%, max mintage of 800000.

(3) The 1/4 oz round gold commemorative coins are bullion coins, containing 1/4 oz pure gold, with diameter of 22 mm, face value of RMB100 Yuan, fineness of 99.9%, max. mintage of 600000　

(4) The 1/2 oz round gold commemorative coins are bullion coins, containing 1/2 oz pure gold, with diameter of 27mm, face value of RMB200 Yuan, fineness of 99.9%, max. mintage of 600000.　

(5) The 1 oz round gold commemorative coins are bullion coins, containing 1 oz pure gold, with diameter of 32 mm, face value of RMB500 Yuan, fineness of 99.9%, max. mintage of 600000.

(6) The 5 oz round gold commemorative coins are bullion coins, containing 5 oz pure gold, with diameter of 60 mm, face value of RMB2000 Yuan, fineness of 99.9%, max. mintage of 5000.

(7) The 1 kg round commemorative coins are bullion coins, containing 1 kg pure gold, with diameter of 90mm, face value of RMB10000 Yuan, fineness of 99.9%, max. mintage of 500.

 (8) The 1 oz round commemorative coins are bullion coins, containing 1 oz pure silver, with diameter of 40mm, face value of RMB10 Yuan, fineness of 99.9%, max. mintage of 8000000.

 (9) The 5 oz round silver commemorative coins are proof coins, containing 5 oz pure silver, with diameter of 70mm, face value of RMB50 Yuan, fineness of 99.9%, max. mintage of 50000. 　

 (10) The 1 kg round silver commemorative coins are proof coins, containing 1 kg pure silver, with diameter of 100mm, face value of RMB300 Yuan, fineness of 99.9%, max. mintage of 20000. 

The gold and silver commemorative coins referred above are minted by Shenzhen Guobao Mint, Shenyang Mint, and Shanghai Mint.

2013 Lunar Snake One Ounce Silver Coin Canadian $15 legal tender - RCM

Mintage of only 28,888 coins!

That is 20,000 fewer coins than last year's 1oz silver lunar design! This coin captures the true essence of the Snake’s personality, which is graceful and soft-spoken. Coin comes packaged in an attractive Asian-inspired case - a perfect gift for those born in 2013 or a previous Year of the Snake!

The year 2013 is ruled by the Snake. The Year of the Snake also ruled 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989 and 2001. However, people born in January or February should consult the Chinese lunar calendar. New Year does not automatically fall on January 1st. This celebration is better known as the Spring Festival and coincides with the first day of spring - a date that shifts from year to year depending upon the lunar cycle and solar year.

About the Snake:

People born during the Year of the Snake have a hypnotic beauty and never give themselves totally away. The mysterious Snake is a strategic planner that has everyone guessing its next move. It will keep plotting until it gets what it wants. And when it does, it is not likely to let go. The Snake is a strong individual and is usually destined for great success. Does this sound like someone you know?

2013 Lunar Year of the Snake 10 Euro Silver Proof Legal Tender Coin

Mintage of just 10,000 coins!

This Proof Silver coin contains .642 actual Silver weight! On the obverse, a curled snake is surrounded by a decorative border. The words ""Année du Serpent” and "RF" feature as ideograms. On the reverse, a portrait of Jean de la Fontaine is depicted next to the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac.

Following the Ox, the Tiger, Dragon and the Rabbit, Monnaie de Paris continues its series on Chinese astrological signs with the Snake. This Chinese astrological sign, which is described as intelligent, graceful, independent, analytical and charming, is said to include more of the greatest thinkers than all the other signs of the calendar. Each of these Proof Silver Year of the Snake coins come to you in a box and with certificate of authenticity.

Year: 2013
Grade: Proof
Denomination: 10 Euro
Diameter: 37 mm

Kookaburra Australian Outback 2012 One Ounce Coloured Beijing International Coin Exposition Coin

Beijing International Coin Exposition – Australian Outback Kookaburra 2012 One Ounce 999 Silver Coloured Coin at The Perth Mint, featuring:

• Stunning Outback Coloured Design
• Proof Quality 99.9% Pure Silver
• Extremely Limited Release – 5,000
• Australian Legal Tender
• 2012 Beijing Exposition Packaging

This stunning individual Exposition Special has been exclusively released by The Perth Mint comprising a 2012 Australian Kookaburra coin.

Struck from 1oz of 99.9% pure silver, this coin is issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965.

Stunning Outback Coloured Designs

The kookaburra coin’s coloured reverse design portrays a kookaburra perched on a tree branch with gum leaves. The design includes the inscription AUSTRALIAN KOOKABURRA, The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark and the 2012 year-date.

Extremely Limited Release

No more than 5,000 of this coin will be released in 2012 Beijing International Coin Exposition packaging.

Australian Legal Tender

The coin’s obverse bears the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the monetary denomination.

2012 Beijing Exposition Packaging

The coin is presented in a vibrantly coloured, slide-out display card and outer shipper.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Silver Content (Troy oz)	1
Monetary Denomination (AUD)	1
Fineness (% purity)	99.9
Minimum Gross Weight (g)	31.135
Maximum Diameter (mm)	40.60
Maximum Thickness (mm)	4.00

Fake SJC Gold Bullion Returns to Market

Gold bullion copying SJC, the country’s most popular brand name, has recently re-emerged on the market, dismaying both gold traders and the bars’ authentic producer, Saigon Jewelry Co.

While forged gold bullion used to be produced only under the form of the 1/5-tael, or 0.24 ounce, bar, it is now circulated in the form of one-tael bullion, according to gold traders.

Faking SJC gold bullion will help gold smugglers regularize their contraband raw material gold, and rake in huge profits.

With SJC gold bullion chosen as the national gold brand name, Saigon Jewelry Co has called on the State Bank of Vietnam and police to probe into the case.

Many gold shops in the Mekong Delta provinces have reportedly refused to buy gold bullion, fearing that the metal has not been authentically produced by SJC.

On the fake gold bullion, the first letter of the word ‘tael’ is embedded on its surface in a slightly larger font than that of the authentic bars, according to an owner of a gold shop in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 8, who currently has an allegedly fake SJC gold bar.

“Its purity is also less than 99.99 percent, which an authentic SJC gold bar is supposed to have,” he added.

The fake bullion is made in such a sophisticated way that it is almost impossible to tell it apart from the real deal with the naked eye, gold traders said, adding that even the distinguishing differences on the fake gold bullion have all been rectified.

Gold shop owners are now more wary of customers wishing to sell SJC gold bullion than ever before, and all refuse those with old or torn packaging.

“We only earn a little profit by buying SJC gold bullion. But a fake gold bar will cost us a huge loss,” the owner of a gold shop in District 1 said.

Whopping profits

In response to the market concern, Saigon Jewelry Co said the root of the problem stems from the fact that domestic gold prices are still VND2 – 3 million higher than their global counterparts.

“With such a huge price difference, gold smugglers are willing to spend millions of US dollars investing in machinery to create fake SJC gold bars, as they will soon recoup the investment,” a company chief official who requested anonymity told Tuoi Tre.

Experts also said narrowing the price gap is the only solution to the issue.

“Successfully producing a fake SJC gold bullion will bring in a VND3 million profit to the producer, and with 1,000 bars sold, the figure is an enormous VND3 billion ($143,888),” a CEO of a gold company, who preferred to be anonymous, revealed.

2013 New Century Snake Dance China Coin / Medal

Introducing the 2013 New Century Snake Dance China Commemorative Coin / Medal

 

 The Design: Tong Youming
Diameter: 120mm, 

Material and Colour: Yellow Copper
Quantity: 800 only
Positive Figure: Snake Dance Money Maps and topic text
Back the Figure: Ganzhi Snake Fig.
Casting: Shanghai New Century

  

 

A Rare Chinese Coin: the Fengtien Silver Dollar

Created in 1897 at the instigation of the General Iktangga (依克唐阿), governor of the Fengtien province, the bureau was destined to modernize the provincial coinage. An early set of dies was commissionned from the Anqing (安庆) mint in Anhwei (安徽), and German-made steam-powered machinery were brought from Tianjin.

The early test issues using the An Hui dies were denominated in maces and candareens, and were designed after the Kwantung dollar. With the success of the Peiyang arsenal dollars, subsequent issues were however redesigned and the first emission meant for circulation in 1898 features a reverse bearing the characteristic circular manchu writings in the style of the contemporary Beiyang coins. 

The last emission, in 1899, has a very similar design. As far as I know, three dies were used for the 25th year of Guang Xu series. The coin I bought is of the first type, as seen below:

Fengtien dollar - single ring (单圈版) with error in FUNG

Fengtien dollar (obverse)

The first set of die used has a single dotted ring around the denomination on the reverse (单圈版 in Chinese). The reverse has an obvious error in the typography of the province name, with a huge empty space between the F and U of FUNG TIEN. The strike is also noticeably weak from the G to the T.

On the obverse, this die is very different from the subsequent ones. The dragon face is beautiful, with some relief on the sides of the dragon nose and a large, “smiling” mouth. The fireball at the center is ornamented with a wide, incomplete spiral probably resulting from a weak strike.

The second strike features a new dragon design; the reverse issues were also partially fixed:

 Fengtien dollar - single ring (单圈版)

The province name on the reverse is now correctly typographied, but the strike is still weak on the area from the G to the T. The new dragon design is very different from the previous issue, with a flatter face and a thinner mouth. The spiral on the fireball is complete this time, running all the way to the center.

Fengtien Dollar - double circle (双圈版)

The last emission tries again to correct the problems of the reverse, keeping the new dragon design.

As seen here, the G and T are indeed slightly stronger, but the end of “TIEN” is weaker, while it was crisp in the previous strikes… It seems that like the Kiangnan mint, the early Shenyang mint had troubles with the die adjustement and thus produced weakly struck coins.

A solid circle was added around the denomination, inside the inner dotted circle.

This strike is known as the “Linear circle within dotted circle” die, or 双圈版 in Chinese.

Fengtien dollar - linear circle within dotted circle (双圈版)

After this third strike, the mint machinery was seized by the tsarist Russian army and the Shenyang machine bureau was burned down… The province of Fengtien (nowadays Liao Ning) was indeed going through dark times. Already the theater of the first Sino-Japanese war in 1895, it was then the scene of the conflict between the Russians controlling the leased territory of Liao Tung, and the Japanese army, leading to the Russo-Japanese war. The mint at the Shenyang machine bureau was briefly brought back online in 1903 after years of reconstruction slowed down by the Boxer rebellion.

Eventually, the province fell under Japanese control, later becoming part of the Manchukuo puppet state. The Japanese army and investors continued to develop heavy industries in the region, furthering the move toward automatization that had begun in 1897 with the creation of the Fengtien machine bureau.

See original source for more information

Dragons of Legend - Special Edition 2012 5oz Chinese Dragon Coin - Australia Silver Perth Mint

Dragons of Legend - Special Edition 2012 5oz Chinese Dragon Coin

Featuring:

• Proof Quality 99.9% Pure Silver
• Spectacular Coloured Reverse Design
• Strictly Limited Mintage – 1,000
• Illustrated Presentation Packaging

A magnificent airborne creature of the reptile kingdom, the Chinese Dragon rules over the elements of air and water.  Struck by The Perth Mint from a hefty 5oz of pure silver, the coin’s dragon emblem is believed to bring power, prosperity and good luck.

For those born in the dragon year, the year 2012 celebrates the qualities of this fantastic beast.   Other year dates of people ruled by this ancient lunar sign include 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988 and 2000.

Proof Quality 99.9% Pure Silver

The coin is struck by The Perth Mint on behalf of Coin Club Australia from 5oz of 99.9% pure silver in proof quality.

Spectacular Coloured Reverse Design

The coin’s reverse depicts two spectacular coloured dragons with a representation of a pearl, signifying eternal wisdom.  The design also includes a fish motif, representing abundance and harmony.

Strictly Limited Mintage

No more than 1,000 of these coins will be available.

Tuvalu Legal Tender

Issued as Tuvalu legal tender, the coin’s obverse depicts the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the year-date and the monetary denomination.

Illustrated Presentation Packaging

This coin is housed in a black presentation case and illustrated shipper accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

Technical Specifications

Silver Content (Troy oz)	5
Monetary Denomination (TVD)	5
Fineness (% purity)	99.9
Minimum Gross Weight (g)	155.673
Maximum Diameter (mm)	65.60
Maximum Thickness (mm)	5.80

China Kirin Dated 10th Yr Kuand Hsu (1885) 1 Tael - Silver Coin Very Rare

China Kirin Dated 10th Yr Kuand Hsu (1885) 1 Tael - Extremely Rare with Full Detail & Gold Gilding

$5000 + US$

Empire of Silver - New China Movie about Silver and Paper Money

THERE'S scope for an intriguing film about China at the end of the 19th century from the perspective of one of the nation's leading banks.

But in the hands of first-time Taiwanese-American director Christina Yao, this sluggish, uninvolving soap opera hardly resonates with the present as it ought to.

With the Chinese economy in tumult, the pragmatic banker Master Kang (Zhang Tielin) is bent on preserving his family's financial empire.

There is no love lost between him and his heir apparent, Third Master (Aaron Kwok), given Third Master's passion for the woman (Hao Lei) who becomes Kang's second wife.

There's a great deal more to the story: the fate of Third Master's three brothers, the change to ''paper money'' in place of silver, and a random attack by digitally generated wolves. Other subplots are introduced, then dropped: it's hard to account for the fleeting presence of Jennifer Tilly as a missionary, unless this is supposed to make the film more marketable in the US. Ultimately, the clash between father and son is resolved in an unsatisfying, evasive manner that virtually erases much of what has gone before.

The film depends heavily throughout on voiceover narration by a later member of the dynasty, who seems mysteriously well-informed about events that occurred before he was born. As a result, there is rarely much suspense or narrative momentum.

Nor does Yao overcome a blandly decorative style, in which the camera rises and falls with stately regularity and most interiors are bathed in golden light.

(M) Cinema Nova (113 minutes)

Read more

CHINESE ASTROLOGICAL SERIES 2012 YEAR OF THE DRAGON GOLD COIN 'PROSPERITY' Perth Mint Australia Gold

• Proof Quality 1/5oz 99.99% Pure Gold
• Year of the Dragon Design
• Chinese Character for 'Prosperity'
• Issued as Legal Tender
• Presentation Case
• Numbered Certificate of Authenticity

Celebrating the Year of the Dragon, the birth dates for people ruled by this Chinese Lunar sign include 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 and 2012. Those born under the influence of this sign are said to be confident, enterprising, independent, self-assured, brave, and passionate.

Proof Quality 99.99% Pure Gold

Celebrating the 2012 Year of the Dragon, this coin is struck by The Perth Mint from 1/5oz of 99.99% pure gold in proof quality.

Year of the Dragon Design

The reverse design depicts a dragon holding a pearl marked with the Chinese character for prosperity – Fu.

Issued as Legal Tender

Issued as legal tender under the authority of the Government of Tuvalu, the obverse of the coin bears the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the 2012 year-date.

Limited Mintage

No more than 2,000 of these coins will be released individually.

Presentation Case

Each coin is housed in a presentation case featuring a timber lid and a stylised shipper accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.
CHINESE ASTROLOGICAL SERIES 2012 YEAR OF THE DRAGON GOLD COIN 'PROSPERITY' Perth Mint Australia Gold

Australian Lunar Series II 2012 Year of the Dragon 1oz Silver Ten Coin Set; Perth Mint Australia

• 99.9% Pure Silver Coins
• One Uncoloured and Nine Coloured Dragon Designs
• Extremely Limited Mintage – 2,500
• Australian Legal Tender
• Presentation Packaging
• Numbered Certificate of Authenticity

Complementing the highly successful Australian Lunar Series II 2012 Year of the Dragon, The Perth Mint is thrilled to present this limited edition ten-coin set.
A real collector’s coup, the set is a wonderful gift for anyone born in the Chinese lunar years of 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 and 2012.

99.9% Pure Silver Coins

Each coin is struck by The Perth Mint from 1oz of 99.9% pure silver.

Exciting Coloured Dragon Designs

As well as a coin with a traditional bullion finish, the set includes nine coloured editions on which the dragon is finished in either red, blue, brown, purple, silver, white, yellow, black or gold.
The reverse of each coin depicts a dragon with a representation of a ‘pearl of wisdom’. The Chinese character for ‘dragon’ and the inscription YEAR OF THE DRAGON also appear in the design with The Perth Mint’s traditional ‘P’ mintmark.

Extremely Limited Mintage

No more than 2,500 coin sets will be released.

Australian Legal Tender

Issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965, each coin’s obverse depicts the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the monetary denomination.

Presentation Packaging

The coins are housed in a prestigious red and black display case with a custom-designed shipper, accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

Silver Content (Troy oz)	1
Monetary Denomination (AUD)	1
Fineness (% purity)	99.9
Minimum Gross Weight (g)	31.135
Maximum Diameter (mm)	45.60
Maximum Thickness (mm)	2.60

Australian Lunar Series II 2012 Year of the Dragon 1oz Silver Ten Coin Set; Perth Mint Australia

2012 1oz Silver Feng Shui – Koi .999 With Presentation Box - New Zealand Mint

Metal 999 Silver with coloured Features

Finish Proof

Diameter 40.7mm

Edge Milled Milled

Denomination NZ $2

Year of Issue 2012

Mintage 8000

 

About the Coin

In Chinese Tradition Koi are symbolic of unity and fidelity as it is noted that fish (particularly koi) often swim together in pairs. With this in mind, Koi are often given as wedding gifts in the form of charms or figurines to present the newly-wed couple with an au ious sign of fidelity and perfect union. They also represent fertility and abundance due to their ability to reproduce in speed and volume.
This unique pure .999 silver coin depicts the Koi fish and is limited to 8,000 coin sets only.

Reverse Design

This features an image of 2 Koi swimming. Background is delicate Cherry Blossoms.

Obverse Design

The Raphael Maklouf effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, sovereign of the Commonwealth and Niue.

Packaging

Each set is presented in a custom made Chinese Lacquer Box with Outer Box with ornate Chinese design. A certificate of authenticity comes with each set.

For information on travel and tourism in Niue please visit www.niueisland.com

2012 1oz Silver Feng Shui – Koi .999 With Presentation Box - New Zealand Mint

Silver Chinese Dragon Coin - Hu-Peh Province

The authentic Chinese Dragon coin listed on this page has been made during the Qing Dynasty which was present in China from the year 1644 until 1911. This dragon coin, or dragon dollar as some call it also, has been struck somewhere between 1909 - 1911 in the Hubei Province which is situated in the center of China. The Hubei province is surrounded by Henan province to the north, Jiangxi and Hunan province to the south, Anhui province to the east, Sichuan province to the west and Shaanxi province to the northwest. Some Silver Chinese Dragon Coin facts. Mintage: Circulation strikes: 2,703,000. Composition: Silver .7814 Oz. Weight: 7 Mace and 2 Candareen. Mintmark: Hu-Peh Province. Here below are the images from an authentic Chinese silver dragon coin and a cheap counterfeit dragon coin, both from the Hu-Peh province in China.
Authentic Silver Dragon Dollar	Counterfeit Chinese Dragon Dollar
(7 Mace and 2 Candareen)	(7 Mace and 2 Candareen)
Obverse Side	Obverse Side
When comparing both Chinese dragon coins the following differences are easy to see on the counterfeit coin and not on the authentic silver dragon coin. The numbers are not identical, see the number 2 who is bigger. The letters are not the same and more fat than on the authentic coin. The dragon has far less details, and some are even missing (center). The letter and numbers are more to the edge of the dragon coin.
Authentic Chinese Dragon Coin	Counterfeit Chinese Dragon Coin
Reverse Side	Reverse Side
The reverse side of the counterfeit dragon dollar shows another Chinese text, but as there are many dragon coins with different signs on it, this is not the right way to identify these coins as a counterfeit Chinese dragon dollar. What is clear to see when comparing these two pictures is the thickness of the Chinese letters on the counterfeit that does not match the authentic silver dragon coin.

Info pulled from