This is a complete set of ultra rare 8 coin China Summer – (released in June of 1980) , and Winter-(released in May of 1980) Olympic proof silver coins, Piedfort – double thickness version. Having dealt in these coins for over 30 years this is the only complete set of these rare piedforts I have ever handled. Most collectors have not even seen a single piedfort coin except in catalogues. They are extremely rare and highly valued for their uniqueness and extra care taken in preparing and executing the minting process. Edited by Shen Jiau lists only a few of these coins, the others being extremely elusive. Although mintages are listed at 500, that figure represents the maximum the mint was authorized to strike, it is commonly known that the actual numbers of coins struck in piedfort version are significantly lower. Some estimates are in the area of only 100 or less of each coin. One of the top international coin dealers of Rare and Collectible Coins, has this to say: THE 1980 SILVER AND GOLD PIEDFORTS ARE INCREDIBLY RARE. EVEN THE 1980 COPPER PIEDFORTS ARE RARELY SEEN. ACTUAL MINTAGE OF THE SILVERS APPEAR TO BE MUCH LESS THAN 500 The coins are all in superb condition in original capsules. Each coin is exactly double the thickness of the regular proof version as well as exactly double the weight. The mintages of the proof piedforts are a tiny fraction of the regular issued proof coins. Quoting the China catalog; Part of the gold and silver coins are struck from thickened blanks with repeated die-casting method to add value. They are loved by people all over the world and appreciated as one of the rarest and most unique Olympic Commerative coins in history. No collection of China modern coins is complete without at least one piedfort version proof coin. This is an opportunity to have a complete set of the first ones ever created in China. Since then the tradition has remained whereby China rarely issues a legal tender piedfort coin. Again, these are the first. The 1980 China Olympic coins encompass many firsts, not only the first Olympic coin series ever in China, but also the first sports themed coin series. It is also the first series of Chinese coins that do not have the words “Peoples Republic of China” on the obverse side. Also note the Silver Archer piedfort stands out as the most special of all. Besides being a rare piedfort it stands out as as most interesting in appearance:the much smaller (23mm) diameter of the Archer coin compared to the rest (28 to 33 mm) makes the archer look like a small silver cylinder when thickened to the same thickness as the rest of the piedforts. Combined with the small mintage compared to the 2,000 mintage of its regular issue Winter Olympic cousins, the Silver archery piedfort is one of the most precious of all modern Chinese coins. In fact it is one of the rarest Silver Olympic coins in the world, even rarer than the 1952 Finland Markka silver coin, the first Olympic silver coin since ancient Greece. Included are: Archer – 15 Yuan, 20g, 500 mintage Wrestlers- 20 Yuan, 20g, 500 mintage Soccer- 30 Yuan, 30g, 500 mintage Equestrian- 30 Yuan, 30g, 500 mintage Skier- 30 Yuan 30g, 500 mintage Downhill Racer- 30 Yuan, 30 gm, 500 mintage Figure Skater- 30 Yuan, 30g, 500 mintage Ski Jumper – 30 Yuan, 30g, 500 mintage. The item “China RARE 1980 Olympic Silver Proof Piedfort Proof Coins Complete Set” is in sale since Tuesday, January 02, 2018. This item is in the category “Coins & Paper Money\Coins\ World\Asia\China\Mixed Lots”. The seller is “lvphantoms” and is located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. This item can be shipped to United States.
- Year: 1980
- Circulated/Uncirculated: Uncirculated
- Composition: Silver
