TCV Roundtable Blog

100 Greatest Modern World Coins Series: China 1926 Shantung Dragon and Phoenix Gold 20 Dollars

Published 09/14/2026

A design that sticks out during its production period, but a complete mystery otherwise is the center of our attention as we continue our blog series following along with Whitman Publishing's 100 Greatest Modern World Coins. Authors Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker take us through the design, its symbolism, and why the rare pattern coin is confusing to collectors.

#23 - China 1926 Shantung Dragon and Phoenix Gold 20 Dollars

The 1926 Shantung Dragon and Phoenix 20 Dollar Gold pattern coin from China features the 12-symbol national emblem on the obverse. A phoenix is on the left and a dragon to the right. While referred to a Dragon and Phoenix in Western culture, the phoenix is actually a fenghuang, a Chinese mythological creature. The anatomy of the fenghuang, celestially speaking, symbolizes...read more