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Embrace the Lunar Year of the Dragon's mystique and prosperity with this captivating silver coin. Comes in a sheet of 5 capsuled coins.
| Quantity | Cash/Check | Credit Card | Paypal/Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 - 19 | $70.95 | $73.93 | $74.85 |
| 20 or more | $70.70 | $73.67 | $74.59 |
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The 2024 1/2 oz Samoa Year of the Dragon Black Rhodium Silver Coin is a limited-edition numismatic silver coin struck by Scottsdale Mint on behalf of the government of Samoa, issued as official legal tender with a face value of 1 Tala (WST), fully backed by the Samoan government. Containing half a troy ounce of .999 fine silver at 27mm in diameter, this coin is one of three finish variants in the 2024 Samoa Lunar Dragon series, available in Proof-Like, Antiqued, and this Black Rhodium finish.
With a worldwide mintage of just 888 coins, a number of profound significance in Chinese culture, this is among the most tightly limited lunar silver coins in the premium collector market. The black rhodium plating transforms the coin's appearance entirely, giving the dragon design a dark, dramatic quality that standard silver or standard rhodium finishes cannot achieve.
2024 marked the Year of the Dragon (龙年, lóng nián) in the Chinese lunar calendar, specifically, the Year of the Wood Dragon (木龙年), a designation that occurs only once every 60 years. The most recent Wood Dragon year before 2024 was 1964; the next will not arrive until 2084.
The Chinese lunar calendar operates on a 12-year cycle of zodiac animals, simultaneously running a 5-element cycle, Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, each lasting two years. The combination of animal and element produces 60 unique year-types before repeating, meaning a Wood Dragon year is a once-in-a-lifetime event for most people alive today.
Among the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig, the Dragon holds a unique and unparalleled position: it is the only mythical creature in the entire cycle. Every other sign represents a real animal found in nature. Only the Dragon occupies the impossible, auspicious space of the imaginary made divine.
This distinction gives Dragon years a special cultural weight. The Dragon in Chinese tradition is not the fearsome, fire-breathing threat of Western mythology. It is the supreme symbol of imperial power, for thousands of years, the emperor of China was the Dragon's earthly representative, and only the emperor could use the dragon as his personal emblem. Furthermore, the Dragon is a celestial and divine creature with control over wind, rain, rivers, and sea, the bringer of rains that sustained agricultural civilisations across East Asia, and the most auspicious of all zodiac signs, believed to bring prosperity, good fortune, and strength to all born in or celebrating a Dragon year.
As the University of Washington notes, more babies are born in the Year of the Dragon than in any other Chinese zodiac year. Birth rates in Hong Kong, mainland China, Singapore, Taiwan, and across the global Chinese diaspora reliably spike during Dragon years, parents seek to give their children the auspicious qualities of the Dragon sign. In 2024, the Dragon year ran from February 10, 2024 to January 28, 2025.
The Wood element adds a specific layer of meaning to the 2024 Dragon year. In Chinese elemental theory, Wood is associated with living things and the cycle of growth, the spring force of nature, alongside creativity, new beginnings, and the energy of germination and renewal. Wood is also the color green, making 2024 the Year of the Green Dragon, and its energy supports collective endeavors and collaborative building.
A Wood Dragon, therefore, combines the Dragon's supreme power and ambition with the Wood element's creativity, growth, and expansive energy, a combination that many Chinese astrologers described as an especially favorable year for new ventures, business expansion, and creative projects.
The worldwide mintage of 888 coins is not an arbitrary production figure, it is a deliberate cultural statement.
In Chinese numerology and specifically in Cantonese linguistic tradition, the number 8 (八, bā) is considered the luckiest number because its pronunciation sounds like 发 (fā), the word for wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. This phonetic association drives significant cultural behavior: Chinese phone numbers, license plates, and bank account numbers with the digit 8 command substantial premiums. The 2008 Beijing Olympics deliberately opened on 08/08/2008 at 8:08:08 PM local time, the luckiest possible moment by Chinese numerological tradition.
888 takes this further: triple 8 triples the prosperity symbolism. It is an exceptionally auspicious number, one that makes this 888-mintage Dragon coin both culturally specific and genuinely scarce. That only 888 of these black rhodium half-ounce coins exist is not a coincidence. It is a feature.
The defining characteristic that makes this coin visually distinct, even from the standard rhodium-plated and antiqued versions of the same Dragon coin, is the black rhodium plating.
Rhodium (Rh) is a member of the platinum group metals, the same family that includes platinum, palladium, iridium, osmium, and ruthenium. It is one of the rarest precious metals on Earth, rarer than gold, with annual global production measured in just a few tens of tonnes. It is prized in numismatics and jewelry for several exceptional properties.
Rhodium has a Mohs hardness of approximately 6, significantly harder than silver (Mohs 2.5), gold (Mohs 2.5–3), and most other precious metals, providing exceptional scratch resistance to whatever surface it coats. Unlike silver, which tarnishes readily when exposed to air and moisture, rhodium does not oxidize. When applied over a silver coin, rhodium acts as a permanent protective barrier, preventing the underlying silver from reacting with the environment and eliminating the risk of milk spots, toning, and oxidation that affect standard silver collector coins over time.
Black rhodium is produced through the same electroplating process as standard rhodium, with one critical modification: the rhodium is dyed black during the plating solution preparation, producing a dark charcoal-to-near-black metallic surface rather than the bright silver-white of natural rhodium.
The visual result on a coin is extraordinary. Design elements, particularly the high-relief dragon on the reverse, emerge from this dark field with dramatically enhanced visual contrast. Where standard rhodium or proof finishes create contrast through reflectivity differences, black rhodium creates contrast through tone: dark field against the sculpted relief of the dragon. The effect is uniquely suited to the Dragon's character as a mythical, powerful, and mysterious creature, the black rhodium finish gives the design an intensity that perfectly complements the dragon's cultural associations with power, night skies, and the cosmos. As one APMEX buyer who ordered all three finishes confirmed: "The black finish is definitely my favorite."
The reverse features a majestic dragon traversing the entire coin field, its form enhanced by the black rhodium plating that deepens the shadows of its relief and throws the raised scales, claws, and features into sharp focus.
The dragon is depicted in a classic Chinese composition, not the Western image of a large winged lizard, but the serpentine, elongated form of the Chinese lung dragon: a sinuous, powerful creature with an intense, direct gaze representing watchfulness and divine awareness, a scaled body coiling through the field in the classic Chinese form that connects heaven and earth, clawed feet and flowing whiskers as traditional markers of the dragon's supernatural nature, and cloud elements suggesting the dragon's dominion over weather and the elements.
Alongside the dragon, the Chinese character for "dragon" (龙, lóng) appears in the design field, the traditional script character that has represented this creature in Chinese writing for over 3,000 years. Reverse inscriptions confirm: "2024 YEAR OF THE DRAGON."
The obverse bears the official coat of arms of the Independent State of Samoa, adopted in 1962 when Samoa became the first Polynesian nation to achieve independence in the twentieth century. The coat of arms is rich in national and religious symbolism.
The shield's lower two-thirds carry a blue field with five silver stars arranged in the Southern Cross constellation, the same constellation on Samoa's national flag, representing the country's geographic position in the Southern Hemisphere and its Polynesian navigational heritage. The upper third features a green sea with a coconut palm, representing Samoa's tropical island environment and agricultural identity. A gold cross surmounts the shield, representing the Christian faith that forms the foundation of Samoan national identity. Two concentric circles depicting the globe with olive branches appear in the background, inspired by the United Nations emblem and reflecting Samoa's history as a UN Trust Territory under New Zealand from 1920 until independence.
Below the coat of arms, a banner carries the Samoan national motto: "FA'AVAE I LE ATUA SAMOA", translated as "God be the Foundation of Samoa." This motto, encoded into the coat of arms at independence, reflects the deep Christian heritage of Samoan society and the role of faith in Samoan national identity.
Coin inscriptions on the obverse confirm all identifying details: "SAMOA," "2024," "999 FINE SILVER," "1 TALA," "0.5 TROY OUNCE," and "FA'AVAE I LE ATUA SAMOA."
The 2024 Samoa Year of the Dragon 1/2 oz coin was released in three distinct finishes, each with a different visual character:
| Finish | Appearance | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Proof-Like | High-contrast mirror fields with frosted devices | Classic, bright, traditional numismatic quality |
| Antiqued | Aged, burnished surface with deliberate patina | Old-world, museum artifact aesthetic |
| Black Rhodium (This Coin) | Dark charcoal-to-black metallic surface | Dramatic, intense, mysterious, most visually striking |
All three finishes contain the same silver content, face value, mintage, and coin specifications. The finish is a purely aesthetic choice. Per collector feedback, the Black Rhodium version is consistently described as the most striking of the three.
Note: The larger 1 oz Black Rhodium version of this coin also features serialized Certi-Lock packaging from Scottsdale Mint. The 1/2 oz version arrives in an individual protective plastic capsule. Collectors who prioritise authentication documentation may wish to consider the 1 oz version.
Chinese-heritage collectors and cultural enthusiasts: The Year of the Dragon is the most culturally significant year in the Chinese zodiac cycle. The dragon's status as the emperor's symbol, the only mythical zodiac creature, and the sign associated with the highest birth rates and strongest auspicious energy makes Dragon year coins uniquely sought-after across Chinese, Taiwanese, Hong Kong, Singaporean, Malaysian, and overseas Chinese communities.
Lunar New Year numismatic collectors: This coin belongs to Scottsdale Mint's annual Samoa Lunar New Year series. Collectors building a complete set of lunar years require the 2024 Dragon coin; its 888 mintage and black rhodium finish make it a premium entry in that collection.
Dragon-year personal milestones: Anyone born in a Dragon year, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, or 2024, carries the Dragon as their zodiac sign. A black rhodium Dragon coin marking their birth year, or celebrating a milestone birthday in a Dragon year, is a highly personal and meaningful gift.
Silver collectors who appreciate dramatic finishes: The black rhodium finish is distinctive among silver coins, most collector series offer standard proof or antiqued finishes, and relatively few apply black rhodium plating at the 1/2 oz format. This coin fills a niche for collectors who want something visually unlike standard silver bullion.
BOLD Precious Metals is an authorized dealer of Scottsdale Mint products, affiliated with PCGS, NGC, and BBB-accredited with a 99.8%+ positive feedback rating. We carry the complete 2024 Samoa Year of the Dragon series, all three finishes in 1/2 oz, 1 oz, and 2 oz sizes.
Each coin ships in its individual protective plastic capsule. Free, fully insured domestic shipping on all orders of $199 or more.
📧 support@boldpreciousmetals.com 📞 1(866) 454-BOLD
The 2024 1/2 oz Samoa Year of the Dragon Black Rhodium Silver Coin is a limited-edition numismatic silver coin struck by Scottsdale Mint on behalf of the government of Samoa, issued as official legal tender with a face value of 1 Tala (WST), fully backed by the Samoan government. Containing half a troy ounce of .999 fine silver at 27mm in diameter, this coin is one of three finish variants in the 2024 Samoa Lunar Dragon series, available in Proof-Like, Antiqued, and this Black Rhodium finish.
With a worldwide mintage of just 888 coins, a number of profound significance in Chinese culture, this is among the most tightly limited lunar silver coins in the premium collector market. The black rhodium plating transforms the coin's appearance entirely, giving the dragon design a dark, dramatic quality that standard silver or standard rhodium finishes cannot achieve.
2024 marked the Year of the Dragon (龙年, lóng nián) in the Chinese lunar calendar, specifically, the Year of the Wood Dragon (木龙年), a designation that occurs only once every 60 years. The most recent Wood Dragon year before 2024 was 1964; the next will not arrive until 2084.
The Chinese lunar calendar operates on a 12-year cycle of zodiac animals, simultaneously running a 5-element cycle, Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, each lasting two years. The combination of animal and element produces 60 unique year-types before repeating, meaning a Wood Dragon year is a once-in-a-lifetime event for most people alive today.
Among the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig, the Dragon holds a unique and unparalleled position: it is the only mythical creature in the entire cycle. Every other sign represents a real animal found in nature. Only the Dragon occupies the impossible, auspicious space of the imaginary made divine.
This distinction gives Dragon years a special cultural weight. The Dragon in Chinese tradition is not the fearsome, fire-breathing threat of Western mythology. It is the supreme symbol of imperial power, for thousands of years, the emperor of China was the Dragon's earthly representative, and only the emperor could use the dragon as his personal emblem. Furthermore, the Dragon is a celestial and divine creature with control over wind, rain, rivers, and sea, the bringer of rains that sustained agricultural civilisations across East Asia, and the most auspicious of all zodiac signs, believed to bring prosperity, good fortune, and strength to all born in or celebrating a Dragon year.
As the University of Washington notes, more babies are born in the Year of the Dragon than in any other Chinese zodiac year. Birth rates in Hong Kong, mainland China, Singapore, Taiwan, and across the global Chinese diaspora reliably spike during Dragon years, parents seek to give their children the auspicious qualities of the Dragon sign. In 2024, the Dragon year ran from February 10, 2024 to January 28, 2025.
The Wood element adds a specific layer of meaning to the 2024 Dragon year. In Chinese elemental theory, Wood is associated with living things and the cycle of growth, the spring force of nature, alongside creativity, new beginnings, and the energy of germination and renewal. Wood is also the color green, making 2024 the Year of the Green Dragon, and its energy supports collective endeavors and collaborative building.
A Wood Dragon, therefore, combines the Dragon's supreme power and ambition with the Wood element's creativity, growth, and expansive energy, a combination that many Chinese astrologers described as an especially favorable year for new ventures, business expansion, and creative projects.
The worldwide mintage of 888 coins is not an arbitrary production figure, it is a deliberate cultural statement.
In Chinese numerology and specifically in Cantonese linguistic tradition, the number 8 (八, bā) is considered the luckiest number because its pronunciation sounds like 发 (fā), the word for wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. This phonetic association drives significant cultural behavior: Chinese phone numbers, license plates, and bank account numbers with the digit 8 command substantial premiums. The 2008 Beijing Olympics deliberately opened on 08/08/2008 at 8:08:08 PM local time, the luckiest possible moment by Chinese numerological tradition.
888 takes this further: triple 8 triples the prosperity symbolism. It is an exceptionally auspicious number, one that makes this 888-mintage Dragon coin both culturally specific and genuinely scarce. That only 888 of these black rhodium half-ounce coins exist is not a coincidence. It is a feature.
The defining characteristic that makes this coin visually distinct, even from the standard rhodium-plated and antiqued versions of the same Dragon coin, is the black rhodium plating.
Rhodium (Rh) is a member of the platinum group metals, the same family that includes platinum, palladium, iridium, osmium, and ruthenium. It is one of the rarest precious metals on Earth, rarer than gold, with annual global production measured in just a few tens of tonnes. It is prized in numismatics and jewelry for several exceptional properties.
Rhodium has a Mohs hardness of approximately 6, significantly harder than silver (Mohs 2.5), gold (Mohs 2.5–3), and most other precious metals, providing exceptional scratch resistance to whatever surface it coats. Unlike silver, which tarnishes readily when exposed to air and moisture, rhodium does not oxidize. When applied over a silver coin, rhodium acts as a permanent protective barrier, preventing the underlying silver from reacting with the environment and eliminating the risk of milk spots, toning, and oxidation that affect standard silver collector coins over time.
Black rhodium is produced through the same electroplating process as standard rhodium, with one critical modification: the rhodium is dyed black during the plating solution preparation, producing a dark charcoal-to-near-black metallic surface rather than the bright silver-white of natural rhodium.
The visual result on a coin is extraordinary. Design elements, particularly the high-relief dragon on the reverse, emerge from this dark field with dramatically enhanced visual contrast. Where standard rhodium or proof finishes create contrast through reflectivity differences, black rhodium creates contrast through tone: dark field against the sculpted relief of the dragon. The effect is uniquely suited to the Dragon's character as a mythical, powerful, and mysterious creature, the black rhodium finish gives the design an intensity that perfectly complements the dragon's cultural associations with power, night skies, and the cosmos. As one APMEX buyer who ordered all three finishes confirmed: "The black finish is definitely my favorite."
The reverse features a majestic dragon traversing the entire coin field, its form enhanced by the black rhodium plating that deepens the shadows of its relief and throws the raised scales, claws, and features into sharp focus.
The dragon is depicted in a classic Chinese composition, not the Western image of a large winged lizard, but the serpentine, elongated form of the Chinese lung dragon: a sinuous, powerful creature with an intense, direct gaze representing watchfulness and divine awareness, a scaled body coiling through the field in the classic Chinese form that connects heaven and earth, clawed feet and flowing whiskers as traditional markers of the dragon's supernatural nature, and cloud elements suggesting the dragon's dominion over weather and the elements.
Alongside the dragon, the Chinese character for "dragon" (龙, lóng) appears in the design field, the traditional script character that has represented this creature in Chinese writing for over 3,000 years. Reverse inscriptions confirm: "2024 YEAR OF THE DRAGON."
The obverse bears the official coat of arms of the Independent State of Samoa, adopted in 1962 when Samoa became the first Polynesian nation to achieve independence in the twentieth century. The coat of arms is rich in national and religious symbolism.
The shield's lower two-thirds carry a blue field with five silver stars arranged in the Southern Cross constellation, the same constellation on Samoa's national flag, representing the country's geographic position in the Southern Hemisphere and its Polynesian navigational heritage. The upper third features a green sea with a coconut palm, representing Samoa's tropical island environment and agricultural identity. A gold cross surmounts the shield, representing the Christian faith that forms the foundation of Samoan national identity. Two concentric circles depicting the globe with olive branches appear in the background, inspired by the United Nations emblem and reflecting Samoa's history as a UN Trust Territory under New Zealand from 1920 until independence.
Below the coat of arms, a banner carries the Samoan national motto: "FA'AVAE I LE ATUA SAMOA", translated as "God be the Foundation of Samoa." This motto, encoded into the coat of arms at independence, reflects the deep Christian heritage of Samoan society and the role of faith in Samoan national identity.
Coin inscriptions on the obverse confirm all identifying details: "SAMOA," "2024," "999 FINE SILVER," "1 TALA," "0.5 TROY OUNCE," and "FA'AVAE I LE ATUA SAMOA."
The 2024 Samoa Year of the Dragon 1/2 oz coin was released in three distinct finishes, each with a different visual character:
| Finish | Appearance | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Proof-Like | High-contrast mirror fields with frosted devices | Classic, bright, traditional numismatic quality |
| Antiqued | Aged, burnished surface with deliberate patina | Old-world, museum artifact aesthetic |
| Black Rhodium (This Coin) | Dark charcoal-to-black metallic surface | Dramatic, intense, mysterious, most visually striking |
All three finishes contain the same silver content, face value, mintage, and coin specifications. The finish is a purely aesthetic choice. Per collector feedback, the Black Rhodium version is consistently described as the most striking of the three.
Note: The larger 1 oz Black Rhodium version of this coin also features serialized Certi-Lock packaging from Scottsdale Mint. The 1/2 oz version arrives in an individual protective plastic capsule. Collectors who prioritise authentication documentation may wish to consider the 1 oz version.
Chinese-heritage collectors and cultural enthusiasts: The Year of the Dragon is the most culturally significant year in the Chinese zodiac cycle. The dragon's status as the emperor's symbol, the only mythical zodiac creature, and the sign associated with the highest birth rates and strongest auspicious energy makes Dragon year coins uniquely sought-after across Chinese, Taiwanese, Hong Kong, Singaporean, Malaysian, and overseas Chinese communities.
Lunar New Year numismatic collectors: This coin belongs to Scottsdale Mint's annual Samoa Lunar New Year series. Collectors building a complete set of lunar years require the 2024 Dragon coin; its 888 mintage and black rhodium finish make it a premium entry in that collection.
Dragon-year personal milestones: Anyone born in a Dragon year, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, or 2024, carries the Dragon as their zodiac sign. A black rhodium Dragon coin marking their birth year, or celebrating a milestone birthday in a Dragon year, is a highly personal and meaningful gift.
Silver collectors who appreciate dramatic finishes: The black rhodium finish is distinctive among silver coins, most collector series offer standard proof or antiqued finishes, and relatively few apply black rhodium plating at the 1/2 oz format. This coin fills a niche for collectors who want something visually unlike standard silver bullion.
BOLD Precious Metals is an authorized dealer of Scottsdale Mint products, affiliated with PCGS, NGC, and BBB-accredited with a 99.8%+ positive feedback rating. We carry the complete 2024 Samoa Year of the Dragon series, all three finishes in 1/2 oz, 1 oz, and 2 oz sizes.
Each coin ships in its individual protective plastic capsule. Free, fully insured domestic shipping on all orders of $199 or more.
📧 support@boldpreciousmetals.com 📞 1(866) 454-BOLD
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