China 2009 150 Yuan and 10 Yuan "Outlaws of the Marsh" 1/3oz Gold and Two 1oz Silver 3-Coin Proof Set Coin

China 2009 150 Yuan and 10 Yuan "Outlaws of the Marsh" 1/3oz Gold and Two 1oz Silver 3-Coin Proof Set

This 3-Coin Proof set contains one Gold Proof Coin and two Silver Proof Coins:

Gold Proof Coin -Depicts a colored image of Song Jiang.
15Yuan    Gold Proof    10.37 grams    23 mm

Silver Proofs - Both coins have the same specifications and depict a colored image of Lin Chong and Lu Zhishen,
10 Yuan     Silver Proof    31.1 grams    40 mm

Gold Proof - Depicts a colored image of Song Jiang:Water Margin is vaguely based upon the historical bandit Song Jiang and his 36 companions. The group was active in the Huai River region and eventually surrendered to government troops in 1121. They are recorded in the Song Shi ("History of the Song Dynasty) (1345), the name of Song Jiang appearing in the chapter of Emperor Huizong, the activities of the gang in the chapter for Zhang Shuye. Folk stories about Song Jiang circulated during the Southern Song. The first text to name Song Jiang's thirty-six companions was the 13th century Guixin Zashi ("Miscellaneous Observations from the Year Guixin") by Zhou Mi (1232–98). Among the thirty-six are Lu Junyi, Guan Sheng, Ruan Xiaoer, Ruan Xiaowu, Ruan Xiaoqi, Liu Tang, Hua Rong and Wu Yong. Some of the characters to later become associated with Song Jiang also appeared around this time. They include Sun Li, Yang Zhi, Lin Chong, Lu Zhishen and Wu Song.

A direct precursor of Water Margin was the Da Song Xuanhe Yishi ("Old incidents in Xuanhe period of the great Song Dynasty"), which appeared around the mid-13th century. The text was basically a written version of storytellers' tales, based loosely on historical events. It is divided into ten chapters, roughly covering the history of the Song Dynasty from the early 11th century to the establishment of the Southern Song regime in 1127. The fourth chapter covers the adventures of Song Jiang and his 36 companions, and their eventual defeat by Zhang Shuye. Some of the more well-known stories and characters of the Water Margin are clearly visible, including "Yang Zhi selling his sword", "Stealing the birthday present", "Song Jiang kills Yan Poxi", "Fighting Fang La" etc. It places Song Jiang and his bandits in the Taihang Mountains, and his band ran the gamut from fishermen to ex imperial drill instructors to inn-keepers etc.

Stories about the bandits of Mount Liang became popular as subject for Yuan Dynasty drama. During this time the material on which the Water Margin was based evolved into what it is today. Song Jiang's bandits were expanded to number one hundred and eight, and though they came from different backgrounds, all eventually come to occupy Mount Liang. There is a theory that Water Margin became popular during the Yuan Dynasty due to resentment toward the Mongol rulers. Song Jiang's rebellion was safe to promote because it criticized the Song Dynasty on the surface, but it was also a call to oppose all corrupt governments.

The China 2009 150 Yuan and 10 Yuan "Outlaws of the Marsh" 1/3oz Gold and Two 1oz Silver 3-Coin Proof Set is an asset to any collection.