2 oz Pure Silver Coin – Republique du Tchad 2020 – 5000 Francs CFA

The Four Auspicious Beasts (四象) are four mythological creatures with deep roots in Chinese history and culture. In ancient Chinese astronomy, the constellations were studied to understand the movement of the sun and moon, in order to determine the seasons and time. It is believed that these Four Auspicious Beasts appeared amongst the constellations as the guardians of the Four Cardinal Directions. Surrounded by a plethora of mythical associations and legends, each of them represents a different season and direction as determined by their positions in the skies. Artifacts featuring The Four Auspicious Beasts are highly sought after, as they are thought to bring wealth and fortune to its bearer.

The White Tiger (also known as White Tiger of the West) reigns over the West, the season of autumn and the element of metal. 

In this collectible, the White Tiger lands fiercely on illustrated metal with a fierce and powerful snarl. It bears its teeth and claws in aggression, ready to pounce to defend its bearer. This powerful stance is purposefully depicted so as to reflect the revered status of the White Tiger as a protector. The complex textures of metal and the White Tiger’s coat translates onto the reverse artistically, while the use of gold on its name in Chinese and the title of the series completes this masterpiece. An ancient Chinese constellation map sits on its obverse surrounding an octagon shape inspired by the yin-yang elements that houses the legal tender, the Coat of Arms du Tchad.

A new minting technique called “Bi-Metal Max” was applied to give this piece its remarkable weight and 80mm diameter – double the size of the regular 2 oz collectible. This is made possible by combining 11.5 oz of copper as a base with a top layer of 2 oz of 999 fine silver, resulting in a super ultra-high relief topped with silver antiqued finishing.