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Chinese Series Marks Literature Classic
 | By Kerry Rodgers, World Coin News
September 21, 2009 |
In August the People's Bank of China released the first stunning coins in a three-year series that celebrates one of the four great classics of Chinese literature: Water Margin aka Outlaws of the Marsh.
This is an epic folk tale. It tells of an outlaw band fighting against the corruption and injustice of the Song Dynasty in 12th century China. Think Robin Hood gone feral, with a generous dash of X-Men plus the Justice League.
Although the story is based on real events, over the years it has grown in the telling. Following appearance of the first written version in the 14th century, the tale expanded to accommodate some 108 principal heroes spread across five volumes of 100 chapters. It became a saga that captivated generations of small boys - and girls: each evening hanging spellbound as the local storyteller recounted the latest daring adventure; each morning acting out roles of favorite heroes.
The tale crossed national boundaries. The Japanese took to it their hearts. In the mid-19th century Utagawa Kuniyoshi created a set of magnificent woodblocks depicting each of the 108 heroes that gave rise to new art and tattoo cultural forms.
The story line is, of course, made-to-order for today's marketing gurus. Numerous TV and film adaptations have appeared. There are card, video and computer games with at least one online gaming site. Later this year an animated flash series, "Hero: 108," will be released. And now the PBC has issued the first of its Outlaw coins.
All For One
The original tale concerns Song Jiang, aka Timely Rain, and 36 bandit companions. They operated in the Huai River valley in the 12th century where they crossed swords and staves with farmers, fishermen, innkeepers, martial arts exponents and sundry imperial troops.
The story took off in the Yuan Dynasty when the action shifted to Liang Mountain with the now magnificent 108 commanding several thousand followers. The assorted heroes came from many different backgrounds: clerks, generals, drill instructors, government officials, artists, at least one monk and, of course, the obligatory Amazon, Miss Hu. Most had been driven to outlaw-hood by corrupt officials.
On the one hand, Water Margin is about fraternity, chivalry, honor and virtue. Helping the needy is part of the scene. On the other, the bandit heroes are anything but stereotypical good guys.
Life in 12th century China was short and brutal. The 108 epitomized the good, the bad and the ugly. When not feasting, getting drunk or stealing, they administered short and extremely sharp justice to all who got in their way, as well as any official they deemed corrupt. Top of their hate list was the Minister for War, Gao Qiu, the equivalent of the Sheriff of Nottingham, a self-indulgent dropout who had gotten his job by being good at football.
Importantly, Song Jiang was at pains to proclaim his loyalty to the Emperor always. His sole ambition was to obtain a pardon for him and his followers that they might serve the Imperial Throne.
Golden Heroes
The four partially colored coins released in August are all legal tender issues of the People's Republic of China. Their obverses bear the crest of the PRC. China Gold Coin is the sole distributor.
A proof 23 mm, one-third-ounce, .999 fine gold 150 yuan minted by Shanghai Mint depicts the outlaw's leader with the Chinese characters "Timely Rain, Song Jiang" alongside. Mintage is 30,000.
The other four coins have been struck by the Shenzhen Guobao Mint. A 40 mm 1-ounce .999 fine silver proof 10 yuan shows immensely strong Lu Zhishen, aka Lu Da, the Flowery Monk, uprooting a willow. On a second 10 yuan silver proof, the much-wronged Leopard's Head, Lin Chong, climbs Mount Liangshan in the snow. Mintage of both is 60,000.
A 64 by 40 mm rectangular 5-ounce .999 fine gold 2,000 yuan proof illustrates the cunning plan used in an early outlaw raid to filch imperial birthday gifts. Mintage is 800. An 80 by 50 mm 5-ounce silver 50 yuan portrays the trapping of venal magistrate Huang Wenbing by Zhang Shun. Mintage is 10,000.
If your local dealer cannot supply, the coins may be sourced from China Great Wall Coins Investments Ltd. Write the firm at Unit 4101, 41/F, Cosco Tower, 183 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong; call +852 2543 3199; fax +852 2854 0039; Web site: www.chinacoin.com.hk. Contact person is Anita Chou: anita@gwcoin.imsbiz.com.hk.
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