Zhang Fei is the 2nd issue in the ‘Five Tiger Generals’ series, a theme from China’s distant past that is still widely heralded today. This numismatic masterpiece packs a serious punch with an incredible design, high relief detailing and a lustrous Black Proof finish.
Highlights:
Super low mintage
Special Black Proof finish
Highly detailed strike
Select gilding on the obverse
2nd incredible issue in the 5 Tiger Generals Series
Backstory:
The Five Tiger Generals is a popular appellation in Chinese culture for the top five military commanders serving under one lord. Although the term does not appear in Chinese historical records and is not used officially, it has been heavily used in literature texts, folklore, as well as popular culture.
As a romanticized novel based on the history of the Three Kingdoms period, the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms refers Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Huang Zhong, Ma Chao and Zhao Yun as the “Five Tiger Generals” of Shu Han, one of the Three Kingdoms, led by warlord Liu Bei. In the literature, Liu Bei initially appointed Guan Yu as General Who Destroys Rebels and Lord of Hanshou, Zhang Fei as General Who Subdues Rebels and Lord of Xin, Huang Zhong as General Who Conquers the West, Ma Chao as General Who Pacifies the West, and Zhao Yun General Who Guards the West, and promoted them to “Five Tiger Generals” later.
Previous issues: 2020 Guan Yu