The Welsh Red Dragon

Spectacular—the Welsh Red Dragon, First Release in the Dragons of the World Series

Here you have the first release in an exciting new five-piece, legal-tender coin series showcasing dragons as depicted in different cultures around the world. This is the Red Dragon—or Y Ddraig Goch—the national symbol of Wales, that has been on the country’s national flag since 1959.

The Red Dragon of Wales, a fiery beast often represented in Medieval Western European folklore, dates back to the days when strange, poisonous reptiles thrashed the waters, haunted the air, and shook the earth of the British Isles. The Welsh people, through the years, have had many names for the dragons, from knuckers to wyverns, gwibers to loathly worms—and dragons were forever being shot with burning arrows or having their heads chopped off. Probably used initially to strike fear in the hearts of enemies thanks to their fearsome strength, power and destruction, today, the Red Dragon flies proudly over public and private buildings throughout Wales and is also featured on the flags and crests of many Welsh cities, towns, and counties.

A Tale of Two Welsh Dragons

According to Welsh mythology—when King Lludd, a British King in pre-Roman times, found his kingdom cursed each May Day by an eerie shriek that caused crops to fail and women to miscarry, his brother Llefelys, King of France, advised him that the sound came from two battling dragons. Lludd found that to be a plausible explanation, and taking his brother’s advice, he dug a vast pit, filled it with mead, and covered it with a cloth. The dragons—one red, one white—fell into the hole and broke from their fight to drink all the wine, and fall fast asleep. Lludd wrapped them in cloth and buried them under the peaks of Snowdonia, in northern Wales.

Spectacular Ultra-High Relief Proofs, with Unique Convex/Cupped Surfaces

Each coin features an exquisite proof finish that showcases the dragon design in Ultra-High Relief with razor-sharp detail and mirror-like backgrounds. To further enhance the design, the coin is deeply convex on one side and concave on the other—creating a distinctive, very dramatic “cupped” effect that is unlike any other coin in your collection.

The Work of Esteemed Chinese Designer Zhu Xihua

The intricate, highly detailed reverse of these Welsh Red Dragon coins featuring a dramatic Welsh Red Dragon in a coiled pose was designed by Zhu Xihua, an artist at China’s Shanghai Mint, renowned for his animal artwork. Mr. Xihua has been working as a coin designer and engraver for over a decade and has contributed to the design of over 100 commemorative coins. The obverse includes Fiji’s unique Code of Arms along with the date, the coin’s specifications and the denomination.

Struck in 99.9% Gold and Silver

Sizes authorized for this sensational release include a coin struck in one ounce of 99.9% gold (5 dollars legal tender), and coins struck in one kilo, five ounces and two ounces of 99.9% fine silver (15 dollars, 5 dollars and 2 dollars legal tender, respectively). 

Certified Flawless Proof-70, and Ultra Cameo, and First Day of Issue by NGC

Each Proof coin is graded on a 70-point scale, with a grade of 70 representing absolute perfection, even under magnification. There is no higher grade. These Welsh Red Dragon Proofs have been certified as perfect Proof-70 (PF70) by Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC), one of the top coin-grading services in the world. Not only that, each coin has also been certified Ultra Cameo (UC), a designation given to coins that possess an intense frosted finish on both sides of the coin, with highly polished fields accenting the raised elements.

Finally, each Welsh Red Dragon Proof has received a First Day of Issue (FDI) designation. The FDI designation means these coins were turned over for grading on or before the first day of release from the mint. First Day of Issue proofs are sought-after because they are fresh and sharp. These Proofs are not only the best of the best, they’re the first of the best. Take a look for yourself to see what all the excitement is about!

2022 One-Ounce Gold Welsh Red Dragon Proof PF70 UC FDI

• First Release of the Dragons of the World Series
• One Ounce of 99.9% Gold
• Cupped Ultra-High Relief Design
• 5 Dollars Fiji Legal Tender
• Perfect Proof-70 Ultra Cameo (PF70 UC) by NGC
• NGC-Certified First Day of Issue (FDI)
• Deluxe Presentation Case
• Limited Availability

2022 Kilo Silver Welsh Red Dragon Proof PF70 UC FDI

• First Release of the Dragons of the World Series
• Kilo of 99.9% Silver
• Cupped Ultra-High Relief Design
• 15 Dollars Fiji Legal Tender
• Perfect Proof-70 Ultra Cameo (PF70 UC) by NGC
• NGC-Certified First Day of Issue (FDI)
• Deluxe Presentation Case
• Limited Availability

2022 Five-Ounce Silver Welsh Red Dragon Proof PF70 UC FDI

• First Release of the Dragons of the World Series
• Five Ounces of 99.9% Silver
• Cupped Ultra-High Relief Design
• 5 Dollars Fiji Legal Tender
• Perfect Proof-70 Ultra Cameo (PF70 UC) by NGC
• NGC-Certified First Day of Issue (FDI)
• Deluxe Presentation Case
• Limited Availability

2022 Two-Ounce Silver Welsh Red Dragon Proof PF70 UC FDI

• First Release of the Dragons of the World Series
• Two Ounces of 99.9% Silver
• Cupped Ultra-High Relief Design
• 2 Dollars Fiji Legal Tender
• Perfect Proof-70 Ultra Cameo (PF70 UC) by NGC
• NGC-Certified First Day of Issue (FDI)
• Limited Availability

Low Mintages Worldwide

These Welsh Red Dragon Proofs have highly limited authorized mintages for worldwide release, including just 150 of the one-ounce gold coin, only 200 of the kilo silver coin, 500 of the five-ounce silver coin and just 750 of the two-ounce silver coin.