Description
This 2017 Canadian $8 coin is struck in over a quarter of an ounce of pure silver, and features the lion dance. The Spring Festival (Chun-jie) is the most important celebration in Chinese culture. It’s a critical time of rebirth in which the whole community comes together to seek the blessings of heaven for a prosperous and harmonious year—a request that is symbolically carried out by the majestic lion. As a pure silver coin struck by the RCM, this coin is HST/GST exempt. Mintage is 30,000.
The Design:
The reverse image by Canadian artist Simon Ng features a traditional Chinese lion with one of the two dancers visible as he holds up the lion’s head. The dancer’s curved body, the position of his feet, and the lion’s bowed head convey a sense of movement while the lanterns and streamers enhance the festive tone of the image. The lion’s large, dragon-inspired head and beard, its ornately detailed face, and its deeply layered body reveal the remarkable craftsmanship required to create a lion costume, and the physicality needed to bring it to life through dance.
In addition to being an attractive and artistic collectible, this coin will also serve as a symbol of good luck. The number 8 is associated with wealth and prosperity and good fortune. The front is engraved with the word “CANADA,” the date “2017”, and the face value of “8 DOLLARS.”
