Topic: Stairway to Heavenly

[PandaCollector]

A mountain path that leads to a temple concealed by forest, a hint of danger, friendly fellow hikers and a series of beautiful coins – what could be better?

Stairway to Heavenly
https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/7480/



Best wishes,
Peter Anthony
NGC Consultant
China Pricepedia — Chinese Coin Prices and More
The Gold & Silver Panda Coin Buyer’s Guide 3
www.pandacollector.com

 

[PandaCollector]

Here is a 1994 brass medal for the Wannian Temple. It is part of a four medal set of the four sacred Buddhist mountains in China. The brass set makes an interesting companion to the silver coins minted 20 years later.



Oddly enough, I was able to buy and then photograph this set just a week after the story about the Wannian Temple was published by NGC.

Best wishes,
Peter Anthony
NGC Consultant
China Pricepedia — Chinese Coin Prices and More
The Gold & Silver Panda Coin Buyer’s Guide 3
www.pandacollector.com

[bonke]

Peter

NGC refers to this brass medal as "Pu Xian Buddha - Mt. E Mei."

The mint also released a 4 medal set in 1/10th oz gold in 1994.

Mark Bonke

[PandaCollector]

Peter

NGC refers to this brass medal as "Pu Xian Buddha - Mt. E Mei."

The mint also released a 4 medal set in 1/10th oz gold in 1994.

Mark Bonke

Thanks, Mark.

The Shenyang Mint also issued very pretty Emeishan medals in brass and silver in 2015.

Best wishes,
Peter Anthony
NGC Consultant
China Pricepedia — Chinese Coin Prices and More
The Gold & Silver Panda Coin Buyer’s Guide 3
www.pandacollector.com

[PandaCollector]

Here is the brass version of the 2015 Emeishan medal struck at the Shenyang Mint. The artist of this outstanding design is Liao Bo.



Best wishes,
Peter Anthony
NGC Consultant
China Pricepedia — Chinese Coin Prices and More
The Gold & Silver Panda Coin Buyer’s Guide 3
www.pandacollector.com

[bonke]

 Peter

From my perspective, these recent medals from the last decade (or so) make the medals from the 1980s and 1990s seem to be so simple in design and craftsmanship.  The Chinese Mints have come far in quality in just a few short years.

Mark Bonke

Ps  Sometime, you should share with us pictures of the medals on display at the larger coin shows in Beijing, Shanghai or Quangzhou.  The options are plentiful for the medal collector and the designs are fantastic.

[PandaCollector]

Mark,

Yes, advances in minting technology have given coin artists, designers and engravers new tools to create outstanding designs. I think this Emeishan medal by Liao Bo is a good example of what happens when a superb artist is given the technical means to express his, or her, ideas.

Best wishes,
Peter Anthony
NGC Consultant
China Pricepedia — Chinese Coin Prices and More
The Gold & Silver Panda Coin Buyer’s Guide 3
www.pandacollector.com

[pandamonium]

No doubt the new issue medals/coins are outstanding in design.      However, early issue medals/coins will see much higher prices......

[collectingcoins]

Beautiful pieces Peter. Thanks for posting, love the high relief and the amazing details.  These have a great future, perhaps better than the early year pieces (80’s - 90’s)...time will tell. 

Here’s the silver version.

[fwang2450]

The thing that turns me off with some of the modern day medals is that they are too perfect, with smooth lines and impeccable surfaces, most likely worked out with the assistance of computers and milling machines, instead of by hand on clay and plaster, or even directly on metal. They lack the kind of roughness that appeals to me.

[Hippanda]

100% agree.  Just like a vinyl recording of a virtuoso violinist on a hand made Stradivarius is far superior to soul-less modern computer generated synthesized noise.

What is the cutoff date?  2003 ?

[PandaCollector]

100% agree.  Just like a vinyl recording of a virtuoso violinist on a hand made Stradivarius is far superior to soul-less modern computer generated synthesized noise.

What is the cutoff date?  2003 ?

Do you find this soul-less? It is designed by a friend of mine so I am biased on this subject, but also curious about what you like, or dislike about it.



Best wishes,
Peter Anthony
NGC Consultant
China Pricepedia — Chinese Coin Prices and More
The Gold & Silver Panda Coin Buyer’s Guide 3
www.pandacollector.com

[fwang2450]

I like this more, simple, rugged, but powerful.

[PandaCollector]

The two eras are different. I find coin and medal designs that interest me in both periods, but everyone can decide for themselves.



Best wishes,
Peter Anthony
NGC Consultant
China Pricepedia — Chinese Coin Prices and More
The Gold & Silver Panda Coin Buyer’s Guide 3
www.pandacollector.com

[Hippanda]

Since you asked, yes I find that image has beauty, but lacks some human soul. I am much more in agreement style-wise with fwang2450, and see too much perfection, or artificial planned order, with the modern computer aided designs. I much prefer designs like fwang245 has shown.  Like the Goldfish: classic hand crafted, imperfect, rough-hewn. Mesmerizing to repeatedly view and ponder, rather than glance once and done.

But hey it's all up to individual preferences and everyone has the right to choose what art they like.