Locked in their ancient battle positions, the Tiger and the Dragon struggle for dominance—equal
and opposing forces, yin and yang. This exquisitely designed 99.99% pure silver coin, featuring a
square hole pierced through its centre, celebrates the ageless story of these two mythic powers.
The reverse design by Canadian artist Charles Vinh features the image of a tiger and a dragon locked in
battle. At the centre of the coin is a square hole—a traditional motif used in Chinese minting to
represent the Earth and the national landmass. Above the hole, the stylized yinyang symbol, created
through the use of different finishes, underscores the coin’s central theme. This symbol is surrounded by
elemental flames. On the left side of the image, the Tiger, its back to the viewer and its face turned in
profile to the Dragon on its right, crawls in typical defensive stance amid stylized scrollwork. On the
right, the Dragon is presented in profile, facing the Tiger to its left. Its claws are raised and its scale-
covered body coils to attack. The obverse design, also by Charles Vinh, features two elaborately carved
phoenixes—fittingly associated with the feminine, the Empress, and the Queen when juxtaposed with
the Dragon featured on the reverse of the coin. The phoenixes flank each side of the central square
hole, above which is the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt. The effigy is
engraved within a smooth polished circle that is detailed on each side with stylized scrollwork. This
scrollwork is continued in elaborate detail on the bottom half of the obverse field.
Makes a beautiful and thoughtful gift or token of good
fortune and a unique addition to any collection featuring
Chinese imagery, specialized coins, nature themes, and
Chinese-Canadian cultural motifs.