Chinese Ancient Inventions
5 Oz Silver - Antique Finish - in Color

• 5 Ounces Rimless Antiqued Coin
• 99.99% Silver
• Limited Mintage only 388 pieces
• Numbered Certificate of Authenticity
• Delivery in original Box

This rimless antique finish coin was struck by the Perth Mint from five ounces of 99.99% pure silver. The colorful design depicts various inventions that originated in ancient China - shipbuilding, kite flying, the seismograph, gunpowder (represented here by a cannon) and the compass. Also included in the design are the matching inscriptions “SHIPBUILDING”, “KITE FLYING”, “SEISMOGRAPH”, “GUNPOWDER” and “COMPASS”. The reverse shows the portrait of King Charles III as well as the weight, fineness, denomination and year of issue.

The culture of ancient China was characterized by an original and imaginative way of thinking that produced countless innovative inventions and was instrumental in the development of society. China was one of the first countries to construct ocean-going ships for trade, research and the military. The military purpose was also served by the over 2000-year-old kites, which were made of wood and fabric to measure the distance between opposing armies. The combination of saltpetre, sulphur and charcoal laid the foundation for the development of gunpowder, which was later used to make fireworks, which were used to scare away evil spirits or pursue military objectives. The polymath Zhang Heng invented the first seismograph for detecting earthquakes at great distances and the astronomer and mathematician Shen Kuo described the magnetic needle compass for the first time in 1088, after a precursor to the compass had already been used by Chinese geomancers 2500 years ago. The strictly limited 5 oz “Chinese Ancient Inventions” silver coin is delivered in the original box including a numbered certificate of authenticity from the Perth Mint.