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Live Long and Prosper With Gold Coins from Perth
 | By Kerry Rodgers, World Coin News
September 15, 2008 |
The human mind is a wondrous thing. My first sighting of a matched set of gold coins issued by Perth Mint in July brought immediate recall of Mr. Spock's salutation from Star Trek. The images displayed on Perth's coins may be tried and true traditional Chinese, yet they embody the same sentiments and philosophy implicit in that celebrated Vulcan greeting.
The reverse designs show the Auspicious Trinity of Fu, Lu and Shou, along with Cai: four deities whose shrines can be found in many Chinese households and shops throughout the world - as they have for thousands of years. These are the four household celestial beings who deliver the good life: good fortune, success, longevity and prosperity.
Perth's new issue celebrates the four on a series of rectangular BU legal-tender Australian coins struck in .999 fine gold. One each of the colorized reverses, designs show a traditional representation of Fu, Lu, Shou and Cai accompanied by the appropriate Chinese character for good fortune, success, longevity and prosperity, displayed against a heavenly cloud sailing across Perth's distinctive shimmer background. They are available in $25 and $8 denominations.
Each 10 gram (0.322 ounce) $25 coin measures 25.40 by 15.40 mm and has a mintage of 10,000. The 5 gram (0.161 ounce) $8 coins are 23.16 by 13.97 mm with a mintage of 20,000 each. Their designs incorporate the Perth's "P" mintmark.
Although much of Perth's output finds a ready market in Asia, it is likely that many of these golden goodies will be snapped up within Australia. Like many nations around the Pacific, The Lucky Country has a sizeable Chinese community that totals about 700,000, or 3.5 percent of the population. The first Chinese entrepreneur is believed to have arrived shortly after European settlement began in the late 18th century.
Fu, Lu, Shou and Cai characterize four interrelated themes that are very much part of Jixiang, or the philosophy of having an auspicious life, prevalent among everyday Chinese. Traditional representations of these deities such as those that appear on Perth's coins are commonplace.
Fu is the bringer of happiness, good fortune and blessings. Contained in fu are longevity, wealth, peace, virtue and death free from illness or pain. These five fus are sometimes portrayed as five bats since the Chinese word "bat" has a similar sound to the word fu. Many of Perth's lunar coins in recent years have depicted such fu bats. Fu is one of the most popular characters of Chinese New Year celebrations. When inverted, the character for fu means "good luck" and, as it also sounds like the word for "come," an upside down fu character is often displayed on the front door of homes during the Lunar New Year.
Lu is concerned with success, fame and social standing. It evolves naturally from fu. The deer symbolizes lu, as the two words have the same tone and pronunciation.
Shou conveys longevity and coexists with Fu. To have a long life is to have fu. Such a philosophy is essential in a culture in which life is everything and longevity its principal goal. As Shou is of equal importance to Fu, the two are often depicted side by side or with Shou encircled by the five fus. To virtuous followers, Shou proffers a peach taken from the orchard of the mother goddess, the Queen Mother of the West. Eating the peach confers immortality.
Cai has responsibility for money and assets. He helps ensure success in business or a career or, for a farmer, a major harvest. Many different representations exist of Cai, whose shrines are common in Chinese shops.
If your friendly neighborhood dealer is unable to accommodate an adequate golden supply of Fu, Lu, Shou or Cai, try The Perth Mint at 310 Hay St., East Perth, WA 6004, AUSTRALIA, or visit its Web site at www.perthmint.com.au.
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