The Brilliance of China Collection - 5000 Years of Chinese Culture and Tradition
Selling Price of the whole set: HK$ 25,000

“The Brilliance of China Collection - 5000 Years of Chinese Culture and Tradition”, is the first stamp ingot collection ever made for China, and is created as a special gift to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Founding of the People Republic of China on 1st October 1949. To commemorate this “New China’s Diamond Jubilee”, the China National Philatelic Corporation has specially authorised the international company Hallmark Group Limited, head-quartered in London, to create a unique collection of 25 famous and important stamps sculpted and engraved in precious metal.

The Brilliance of China Collection is a strictly limited edition of only 18,000 complete collections worldwide. To ensure the highest quality, each precious image has been sculpted by the world’s finest artists and minted to Swiss standards of accuracy and quality.  Pure silver ingots (0.999) are placed one at a time in a huge 360 ton minting press and struck with massive pressure to bring out every tiny detail of the original design.  Each stamp ingot is 2.2mm thick, with diamond cut perforations, and each stamp ingot is layered with pure 24-carat gold to create a perfect golden masterpiece.

Though each stamp ingot will vary in size to conform to the original stamp, the price of each set is at HK$25,000. This price is guaranteed through the period of issue and includes delivery and all accessories. Stamp ingots will be sent to the customer by the Hong Kong Agent for the Hallmark Group at the rate of one per month until the collection is complete, beginning within 30 days of receipt of the application.

For more than 30 years the Hallmark Group has worked with Post Offices around the world to recreate their most valuable and important stamps as engraved gold-plated solid silver ingots.

Gifts to Subscribers

As a subscriber to the Brilliance of China Collection, you will receive one stamp ingot every month for 25 months until your collection is complete.  In addition you will also receive the following special gifts at no additional cost:

Wood Lacquered Collector's Chest: This beautiful velvet-lined, lockable chest is designed to house and protect your collection for many years of enjoyment.  A handmade horned spatula is provided to enable you to remove and inspect each stamp ingot.

Jeweler’s Cloth and Cotton Gloves: Formulated to jeweler’s standards, the cloth and gloves are the ideal way to safely enjoy your collection of gold-layered stamp ingots.

Fact Cards and Album: Each stamp ingot is delivered with a fascinating Fact Card detailing the history of the stamp and event or personality featured.

Certificate of Authenticity: Each subscriber is issued with an officially numbered Certificate confirming the edition limit and the precious metal purity of each stamp ingot.

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

(1) Who is responsible for manufacturing “The Brilliance of China Collection - 5000 Years of Chinese Culture and Tradition”?

“The Brilliance of China Collection” is issued by the international company Hallmark Group Limited, head-quartered in London, under the authority of the China National Philatelic Corporation. It is a strictly limited edition of only 18,000 complete collections worldwide.

(2) Who select these 25 classic Chinese stamps included in the collection?

Each image has been carefully selected by a panel made up of philatelic experts, historians, artists and national figures to tell the story of the history, culture and achievements of China through the millennia, and to emphasize the place of New China at the forefront of nations. It is a valuable and original way to preserve memories of this unprecedented event for future generations.

(3) How much silver and gold is there in the Collection?

There are 25 solid silver stamp ingots in the Collection. Each ingot is 2.2mm thick and exactly the same size as the original stamp. The weight of each will vary according to the size of the stamp, and the average is 29.56 grams. Thus the whole collection weighs 739 grams of pure silver. In addition each stamp ingot is layered with pure 24 karat gold.

(4) Is the quoted price of HK$1,000 for the whole Collection, or just for 1 ingot?

Each gold layered solid silver stamp ingot costs HK$1,000, inclusive of all taxes, delivery costs and accessories. (Please note there are additional charges for overseas delivery, e.g. delivery charges & taxes.)

(5) What is the Issue Limit?

The Issue Limit has been fixed at the outset in coordination with the manufacturer and the Chinese authorities at a total of 18,000 complete sets worldwide. On completion of your collection you will be presented with a Certificate of Authenticity stating the number of your set, and guaranteeing the issue limit at 18,000. Both the China National Philatelic Corporation and the official issuer, Hallmark Group Limited, will sign this. On completion of the minting the original master dies, along with Set No. 1, will be permanently displayed at the China Stamp Museum.

(6) How can I be sure that the replicas are made from pure silver and gold?

The precious metals used in the manufacture are sourced from the Switzerland standard mints officially approved and inspected. Each replica bears the official marks of the manufacturers guaranteeing the purity of the metals. Every complete collection is issued with a Certificate of Authenticity signed by the manufacturers guaranteeing the purity of the precious metal.

(7) How will I know if my order has been accepted?

An Acknowledgement Letter will be issued by Hallmark Group to confirm each order. This letter will explain when the first delivery will be made, and when each accessory is due to be shipped.

(8) Can I buy order a single silver stamp ingot? Or can I use the instalment to buy the whole collection?

No, customer need to purchase the whole set and should be paid in one-off.

(9) Are there any sales quota?

No; customer should check with the credit card limit before placing the order.

(10) When will I receive the stamp ingots after placing order?

We will process the "1-time payment" customer's whole collection in priority. Your stamp ingots will be sent to you at a faster rate and you are expected to receive the collection completely in about 12 month's time.

(11) When will I receive the free gifts listed?

Hallmark Group will start delivering the accessories to your collection in the early stages. The Acknowledgement Letter you receive on order spells out the sequence and timing of deliveries in detail.

(12) Can I return the goods?

You can return and replace any item in this collection; you may do so within 30 days of receipt of that item. You may cancel the whole set of your order within 30 days of receipt of the 1st Ingot. After 30days, refund or cancellation of the order is not allowed.
* Please note only the whole collection is issued with an officially numbered Certificate confirming the edition limit and the precious metal purity of each stamp ingot.

(13) How do you identify my personal account details if I call?

The first thing on receipt of your order is to allocate a personal Reference Number, unique to you. Thereafter every communication will state this number, and you should quote it whenever you contact our Hallmark Products hotline.

For the enquiry about the above product and the details of order logistic introduction, please contact the Hong Kong Agent for the Hallmark Group’s hotline at 2333 0335.