#### COIN HIGHLIGHTS Celebrate the Year of the Wood Dragon. The most revered sign of the Chinese Zodiac, the Dragon comes to life in three-dimensional form on both sides of this coin. This isn't just a matter of featuring EHR on each side of the coin: the obverse and reverse form two halves of one design, with the front (reverse) view of the Dragon reaching a peak relief height of 4.7 mm, while the rear view (obverse) rises up to 3.85 mm.
Crafted in 99.99% pure silver with a mirror-like proof finish, this 50 mm coin has a mintage of only 5,388 worldwide. Your coin comes in a floating capsule with extra-wide sides that allow for unobstructed front-to-back viewing and a vertical display. It comes in a clamshell with a red beauty box that passes on a blessing for Good Fortune. The Royal Canadian Mint certifies all of its collector coins. #### PACKAGING Your coin is enclosed in a unique floating capsule designed for vertical viewing, with extra-wide sides to ensure an unobstructed front-to-back view when you hold your coin.
It comes in a black clamshell enclosed in an auspicious red beauty box that passes on a blessing for "Good Fortune" in the new year. #### A MINT FIRST Introducing Double Extraordinarily High Relief (EHR), a new minting process led by RCM's R&D team from beginning to end and executed to perfection. The 2024 Year of the Dragon coin is the first to feature extreme relief on a two-sided design that flows from front to back, reverse to obverse.
#### MIX OF FROSTINGS AND ENGRAVING TECHNIQUES EHR on both sides of the coin creates multiple viewpoints - from front to back, and from the top down. Different frostings also help accentuate the extreme relief, engraved textures and key portions of this highly intricate design. #### WOOD FRAME Representing the Wood element, the laser-engraved wood grain pattern frames the design on both the reverse and obverse. The 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac - including the Dragon - interact with one of five elements associated with that year, and for 2024, the element is Wood.The last year of the Wood Dragon was in 1964, and people born under this sign tend to be hard-working, self-assured and creative. The reverse design by artist Simon Ng celebrates 2024 as the Year of the Wood Dragon through its depiction of the Dragon, the fifth sign in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac. Framed by a laser-engraved pattern that represents the Wood element, the Dragon moves among the clouds in a night sky illuminated by the moon, its tail coiled to form the shape of lucky number 8. A rear view of that scene is presented on the obverse, which, like the reverse, features Extraordinarily High Relief (EHR) that gives the Dragon a more three-dimensional form.
The obverse also features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt at the top. The obverse also bears a special marking that includes four pearls symbolizing the four effigies that have graced Canadian coins and the double date of her reign. #### ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN MINT The Royal Canadian Mint is known as one of the most reputable mints in the world. The Ottawa Branch of the Royal Mint opened in 1908 and was renamed The Royal Canadian Mint in 1931 when control was transferred to the Canadian government. The Royal Canadian Mint is renowned for producing some of the highest quality and purity of gold and silver bullion coins and bars in the world.
Their high standards for excellence and quality allowed them to be the first refinery to manufacture 9999 fine gold bullion coins in 1982, as well as the first to reach 99999 fine gold purity in 1999.