{"product_id":"zi-lepus-the-twelve-guardians-2023-1-clay-1oz-999-fine-silver-bu-medal-komsco","title":"Zi Lepus – The Twelve Guardians 2023 1 Clay 1oz .999 Fine Silver BU Medal – KOMSCO","description":"\u003cp\u003eDiscover the mythology and striking artistry of South Korea with the \u003cstrong\u003eZi Lepus – The Twelve Guardians 2023 1 Clay 1oz .999 Fine Silver BU Medal – KOMSCO\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eStruck from \u003cstrong\u003e1 Troy Ounce of .999 Fine Silver\u003c\/strong\u003e, this impressive 2023 release represents \u003cstrong\u003eLepus\u003c\/strong\u003e, the seventh Guardian featured in KOMSCO's acclaimed Zi – The Twelve Guardians collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInspired by Korean mythology and the animals of the traditional lunar zodiac, the Zi series transforms each animal into a formidable human Guardian equipped with distinctive armour, characteristics and battlefield abilities.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eProduction of the 2023 Lepus silver medal is restricted to just \u003cstrong\u003e30,000 pieces worldwide\u003c\/strong\u003e, adding strong collectable appeal alongside its investment-grade silver content.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eLepus – Adviser \u0026amp; Strategist\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLepus represents the \u003cstrong\u003ehare\u003c\/strong\u003e within the Twelve Guardians.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRather than being portrayed simply as an animal, Lepus appears as an elegant military Guardian and serves as an \u003cstrong\u003eadviser and strategist to Emperor Chiwoo\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAccording to the mythology surrounding the series, Lepus uses intelligence and dexterity to explore dangerous terrain, identify the presence of demons and develop tactics before battle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis emphasis on strategy gives Lepus a particularly distinctive identity among the Twelve Guardians.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDetailed Lepus Reverse\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe reverse presents \u003cstrong\u003eLepus dressed in elaborate military attire\u003c\/strong\u003e, directing the way ahead while studying the surrounding terrain.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Guardian is depicted beneath the moon, reinforcing the atmospheric and mythological styling that has become a hallmark of the Zi collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe inscription:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eZI LEPUS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eidentifies the seventh Guardian in the series.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe combination of intricate armour, lunar symbolism and detailed relief gives the medal considerably more visual character than a conventional generic 1oz bullion round.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGwi-myeon-wa Guardian Design\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe obverse features KOMSCO's distinctive \u003cstrong\u003eGwi-myeon-wa guardian motif\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInspired by traditional Korean roof tiles decorated with fierce supernatural faces, the imagery was historically associated with protection from evil spirits.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSurrounding the central design are inscriptions identifying the year, country of manufacture and precious metal specifications.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe obverse includes:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eREPUBLIC OF KOREA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2023\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1 CLAY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFINE SILVER 999\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ealongside KOMSCO identification.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSeventh Release in the Zi Series\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Zi silver medal collection began in \u003cstrong\u003e2017\u003c\/strong\u003e and follows the Twelve Guardians through successive annual releases.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe standard sequence leading to Lepus is:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e2017 – Gallus\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e2018 – Canis\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e2019 – Scrofa\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e2020 – Rattus\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e2021 – Taurus\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e2022 – Tigris\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2023 – Lepus\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eLepus is therefore the \u003cstrong\u003eseventh regular release in the Twelve Guardians series\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor collectors working towards a complete twelve-medal set, each annual Guardian represents an important part of the wider collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eLimited to 30,000 Worldwide\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 2023 Zi Lepus BU silver medal has a confirmed maximum production of:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e30,000 pieces worldwide.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis relatively modest mintage gives the medal additional collectable appeal compared with unrestricted bullion products.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs earlier Guardians become increasingly difficult to source, complete and near-complete Zi collections have also become more challenging to assemble.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003e1 Troy Ounce of .999 Fine Silver\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEach medal contains:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1 Troy Ounce of .999 Fine Silver\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eequivalent to approximately \u003cstrong\u003e31.103 grams of fine silver\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe medal measures approximately \u003cstrong\u003e40mm in diameter\u003c\/strong\u003e and is struck in \u003cstrong\u003eBrilliant Uncirculated bullion condition\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe familiar 1oz format allows it to sit comfortably within a precious metals collection while its detailed Korean mythological theme gives it considerably more collector character than standard investment silver.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003e1 Clay Designation\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe medal carries KOMSCO's distinctive:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1 CLAY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003edesignation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eClay is used across several KOMSCO bullion programmes as a proprietary precious-metal denomination.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Zi Lepus is correctly classified as a \u003cstrong\u003esilver bullion medal\u003c\/strong\u003e, rather than a circulating legal-tender coin.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOriginal Mint Distribution\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eKOMSCO distributed the silver Lepus medals in mint tubes containing \u003cstrong\u003e25 pieces\u003c\/strong\u003e, while individual medals were supplied in protective packaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis practical bullion presentation helps protect the silver while retaining the straightforward stackable format of the wider Zi collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eProduct Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/strong\u003e KOMSCO – Korea Minting, Security Printing \u0026amp; ID Card Operating Corporation\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCountry of Manufacture:\u003c\/strong\u003e South Korea\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Zi – The Twelve Guardians\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGuardian:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lepus\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYear:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2023\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeries Position:\u003c\/strong\u003e Seventh Release\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct:\u003c\/strong\u003e Silver Bullion Medal\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMetal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Silver\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 Troy Ounce\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate Weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 31.103 Grams\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePurity:\u003c\/strong\u003e .999 Fine Silver\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDesignation:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 Clay\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiameter:\u003c\/strong\u003e 40mm\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brilliant Uncirculated \/ Bullion\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum Mintage:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e30,000 Worldwide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eObverse:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gwi-myeon-wa Guardian Design\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReverse:\u003c\/strong\u003e Zi Lepus\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCharacter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adviser \u0026amp; Strategist of Emperor Chiwoo\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal Mint Tube:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25 Medals\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIndividual Packaging:\u003c\/strong\u003e Protective Packaging\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLegal Tender:\u003c\/strong\u003e No\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brilliant Uncirculated \/ Bullion Condition\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBullion \u0026amp; Collectable Condition Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese medals are supplied in \u003cstrong\u003eBrilliant Uncirculated bullion condition\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs with bullion-quality silver products, individual examples may occasionally display minor contact marks, light scratches, handling marks, small minting imperfections or natural toning.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eProtective packaging may also display light storage or handling marks.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese cosmetic characteristics do not affect the medal's stated \u003cstrong\u003e1 Troy Ounce silver content or .999 fineness\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy Buy from Everyday Bullion?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEveryday Bullion is a \u003cstrong\u003etrusted UK precious metals retailer\u003c\/strong\u003e, specialising in investment bullion alongside premium, unusual and harder-to-source collectable releases from leading international mints.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery medal is \u003cstrong\u003ecarefully inspected, securely packaged and promptly dispatched\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eZi Lepus – The Twelve Guardians 2023 1 Clay 1oz .999 Fine Silver BU Medal – KOMSCO\u003c\/strong\u003e combines \u003cstrong\u003e1 Troy Ounce of investment-grade silver\u003c\/strong\u003e, intricate Korean mythological artwork and a limited worldwide mintage of just \u003cstrong\u003e30,000 pieces\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs the \u003cstrong\u003eseventh Guardian in KOMSCO's Twelve Guardians series\u003c\/strong\u003e, Lepus is an important addition for collectors working towards a complete Zi collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdd the Zi Lepus – The Twelve Guardians 2023 1 Clay 1oz .999 Fine Silver BU Medal – KOMSCO to your collection today while stocks remain available.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KOMSCO","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56853017264514,"sku":"KOM-02242","price":70.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0922\/5555\/1874\/files\/07b0576e-b099-4b5d-96f1-3bcf0e9f57c8.png?v=1787013683","url":"https:\/\/www.everydaybullion.co.uk\/products\/zi-lepus-the-twelve-guardians-2023-1-clay-1oz-999-fine-silver-bu-medal-komsco","provider":"Everyday Bullion","version":"1.0","type":"link"}