Collecting Chinese Coins: Basic Information on Commemorative Modern Chinese Coins

While circulated modern Chinese coins may be the focus of some numismatists, it is the commemorative, precious metal, modern Chinese coins that are issued annually by the People's Bank of China which attract the most attention from collectors and investors.  The People's Bank of China issued its first set of commemorative coins in 1979 celebrating the Year of the Child, a concept which was proposed by the government of the Philippines via the United Nations to promote international child welfare.

When these precious metal coins were first issued there were strict regulations in place in China on how much of a particular precious metal citizens could own.  As a result, the coins were sold almost exclusively abroad in collaboration with foreign distributors.  Now that these regulations have been loosened somewhat, many coins have gradually made their way back to China and into the collections of Chinese investors and hobbyists.

Since then, coins have been produced every year in all shapes, sizes and denominations in a variety of precious metals, including gold, silver, platinum, palladium, some brass coins, and some bi-metallic pieces.  Shapes vary from round, to rectangular, to plum blossom-shaped (to name but a few).  Coins also are produced with varying quality, including proof, brilliant uncirculated, and piedfort - or double weight and thickness.  Purity or fineness also varies, as well as the number produced - known as mintage.

The focus of these commemorative series also varies widely.  Some are issued on an annual basis and continue to be extremely popular, such as the internationally famous panda series, and the lunar series, which features a different animal of the Chinese zodiac depending on the year.  Other series ran for only a short period of time such as the inventions and discoveries series - which lasted five years - and the unicorn series - which lasted four, while other series are issued on a one-off basis commemorating concepts like the Year of Peace in 1986, or the 100th anniversary of the Chinese film industry in 2005.

While there are some very rare pieces out there which on their own are extremely valuable, some are quite common and affordable.  Their potential value is not to be underestimated though as these coins often fulfil their value when they complete a collectable set or series.

As you can see, the vast array of modern Chinese commemorative coins that are available for acquisition gives great scope for collectors, and makes this rewarding and fun pastime suitable for anyone, regardless of how much money or time you have at your disposal to invest in it.

Chinese Lunar Coins: Commemorating China's Rich History

China's history is intricate and far-reaching. The cultural legacy they have shared has served as a valuable source of philosophical and spiritual teachings. Among the significant themes that characterize the history of China, is the method of tracking time and dates based on Jupiter's orbit. Twelve animals were assigned to represent the time. The values of each animal had a great impact on the cultural beliefs of the Chinese people that in 1981, the People's bank of China initiated the production of dedicatory zodiac coins or Chinese lunar coins.

Each zodiac animal represents a coin in the collectible set of these silver lunar coins over a period of twelve years. A specific set is characterized by something common such as the shape, metal and weight. There are twenty-four sets of Chinese lunar coins identified to date. The coins are shaped differently. Aside from the regular coin shape, some of these coins are shaped like a fan or scallop. Such shapes made the coin distinctive and attractive to collectors.

Coin Series 1988-1999

The first ever platinum Chinese lunar coins were made in 1988. It was in this year also when Shanghai Mint started minting separate sets of lunar coins. Four designs were featured on this year alone.

The coins were minted at 1oz silver with 32mm diameter compared to the standard diameter of 40mm. These coins were considered as silver piedfort.

Coin Series: 1997-2008 and 2009-2020

These Chinese lunar coins were made of 1oz silver.

The Scallop Series

The First Scallop Series (1993-2004) were made of two batches: those made with two-thirds oz silver and another batch made of one-half gold. The second series if this design (2005-2016) have two batches also. The gold batch was minted with the same amount of gold while the silver batch contained 1 oz silver.

The Fan Series

The first Fan Series (2000-2011) had two groups also. The silver batch contained 1 oz silver while the gold coins are one-half oz gold.

Collecting these silver lunar coins is one of the most investment-friendly hobby one could have. Aside from having a chance to participate and enjoy the rich culture of the Chinese people, the collector is sure that his money will be safe. The value of these collectible coins increases as time passes by.

A Brief History of Coin Collecting and Motivations to Get Started

People have hoarded coins for their bullion value - that is, the market value of the precious metals from which they are made - ever since production began.  The earliest known hoard was discovered by the British Museum during their excavation of the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus in modern day Turkey in 1904-5.  The horde was thought to have been buried there some time around 600 BC and comprised pieces produced from a naturally occurring gold and silver mixture known as electrum.

Collecting and appreciation of currency for its artistic or aesthetic value, or for its historical or cultural significance, was a later development that grew out of these initial hoardings.  The practice of collection and appreciation of coins as we know it today began around the 14th Century as a fad and was the reserve of the wealthy upper class of the Renaissance period, and therefore was known as the “hobby of kings”.  Over the subsequent centuries, with the study of coins - numismatics - rapidly expanding, collecting and appreciation also grew in popularity. 

Today it is no longer a hobby for just the rich and wealthy.  It is a highly accessible pursuit and can be taken as seriously or as casually as each collector desires, according to their financial resources and their interest in the hobby.  Most people today collect as a hobby, rather than acquiring them specifically for making a profit - although it is a pleasing aspect of the pastime that the value of the pieces collected often rises over time.  While this is not the primary reason for getting involved, it brings pleasure to collectors to know that despite the fact that they may have no intention at all of selling their collection, its bullion value is nonetheless trending upwards in the long run.

Collectors amass coins today based on characteristics such as rarity, quality, artistic value, bullion value, historical and cultural significance etc., or a more commonly a combination of myriad factors.  Today, getting involved in this fascinating and absorbing pastime has never been so easy.  This is largely due to the wide variety of pieces, series, and sets now available for collecting.  Those with only a little to spend may decide to acquire a particular range of contemporary currency where the only cost is the face value.

However, with the advent of the issuance of coinage by various national mints which, while still legal tender, are produced specifically for collecting, and it is more common to see people acquiring these coins.  This is because the condition of the pieces is higher than those in general circulation, making them more suitable for collecting.  Their market value often far exceeds their face value (or denomination).  This is often due to their bullion value, since they are frequently made of precious metals such as gold, silver, and platinum; and their rarity, as such mints choose to produce only a limited number.  This number is referred to as mintage.  Some less valuable pieces are minted in less valuable metals, like brass, and have both a low denomination and bullion value, as well as having relatively high mintages.  They often form a part of a complete commemorative set or series, and therefore have a higher value than their denomination or their bullion value, especially when a complete series or set is valued for sale.

While collecting and appreciation as a hobby is the most popular aspect of numismatics today, some people see coin acquisition as an investment or acquire pieces, sets, and series with the express intention of making a profit.  Given that precious metals - like gold - are bullish in the long run, some investors buy pieces based on their speculative bullion value with the added bonus that their rarity, quality, and artistic value may further increase the value of their investment.


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