2016 - $8 - Fine Silver Coin – Dragon Dance

Dragons have been a part of Asian culture for thousands of years. Unlike the fire-breathing villains of the West, Asian dragons are friendly and benevolent creatures that play a key role in celebrations, particularly Chinese New Year. The Spring Festival (Chun-jie) is a critical time of rebirth that signals the upcoming planting season and can always benefit from the dragon's wisdom, longevity and life-giving rain!

As Chinese people began to immigrate to other parts of the world, the powerful dragon was sure to follow. Today, wherever Chinese communities exist around the globe, one can expect to see a dragon dancing in the streets sometime in January or February. This is certainly true of Canada where almost 5% of its population is Chinese.

People join the spectacle waving flags and banners. Drums, cymbals, gongs and firecrackers keep evil spirits at bay as a coordinated team of dancers moves the dragon's long, serpentine body. Each person holds a section of its body atop a pole while the leader carries the “pearl of wisdom,” moving it up and down, to the left and right, for the dragon to follow as it weaves its way through the streets

Specifications
No. 149744
Mintage 20,000
Composition 99.99% pure silver
Finish matte proof
Weight (g) 7.96
Diameter (mm) 27
Edge serrated
Certificate serialized
Face value 8 dollars
Artist Harvey Chan (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse)