Chinese lunar coins
 | This article does not cite any sources. (April 2008) |
In 1981, China began minting coins to commemorate the Chinese New Year. The Chinese lunar series consist of gold, silver, and platinum coins in a variety of sizes, denominations, and shapes. The reverse of each coin depicts the zodiac animal for the corresponding year of issue, while the obverse features an historical building or other notable cultural image.
1981–1992 (1st Lunar Series)[]
The size, mintage, metal content, and even face value changed throughout the first series. This is a reflection of China's gradual adoption of the ounce over the metric gram in line with international bullion standards and China's improving economic conditions and technological advances.
From 1981 to 1987 the obverse and reverse of the 8 g gold coin were the same as that of the 15 g silver coin. The exception being in 1985 when the reverse differed. 1987 seems to be special: (1) both the 5 oz. silver lunar coin and the 5 oz. silver panda coin were debuted, (2) the 5 oz. silver lunar coin was the first of the series to be over 99% pure silver, and (3) the 5 oz. silver coin had a face value of 50 yuan even though it contained over 10 times as much silver as the 15 g silver coin which had a face value of 10 yuan.
In 1988 the first platinum lunar coin was introduced and the number of different lunar coins exploded when the Shanghai Mint began minting a different set of lunar coins. In total there were 4 different designs: the 5oz coins featured triple dragons and the 15 g and 8 g coins each featured a different dragon; the Shanghai Mint coins featured double dragon reverses.
All coins minted by the Shenyang mint unless noted with an "SH" which indicates that it was minted by the Shanghai mint. The size, mintage, and face values are listed to illustrate the numerous changing standards in the first lunar series.
| Year | Animal | Silver Coins (mintage) | Gold Coins (mintage) | Platinum Coins (mintage) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Rooster | 15 g 33 mm 30CNY (10000) | 8 g 23 mm 250CNY (5000) | |
| 1982 | Dog | 15 g 33 mm 20 CNY (15000) | 8 g 23 mm 200 CNY (5000) | |
| 1983 | Pig | 15 g 33 mm 10 CNY (10000) | 8 g 23 mm 150 CNY (5000) | |
| 1984 | Rat | 15 g 33 mm 10 CNY (10000) | 8 g 23 mm 150 CNY (5000) | |
| 1985 | Ox | 15 g 33 mm 10 CNY (10000) | 8 g 23 mm 150 CNY (5000) | |
| 1986 | Tiger | 15 g 33 mm 10 CNY (15000) | 8 g 23 mm 150 CNY (5000) | |
| 1987 | Rabbit | 15 g 33 mm 10CNY (15000) 5 oz. 70 mm 50CNY (4000) |
8 g 23 mm 150CNY (5000) | |
| 1988 | Dragon | 15g 33mm 10CNY (15000) 1oz 32mm 10CNY SH (20000) 5oz 70mm 50CNY (5000) 12oz 80mm 100CNY SH (3000) |
8g 23mm 150CNY (7500) 1oz 32mm 100CNY SH (3000) 5oz 60mm 500CNY (3000) 12oz 1000CNY SH (500) |
1oz 32mm 100CNY SH (2000) |
| 1989 | Snake | 15g 33mm 10CNY (15000) 1oz 32mm 10CNY SH (6000) 5oz 70mm 50CNY (1000) 12oz 80mm 100CNY SH (400) |
8g 23mm 150CNY (7500) 1oz 32mm 100CNY SH (3000) 5oz 60mm 500CNY (500) 12oz 70mm 1000CNY SH (200) |
1oz 32mm 100CNY SH (1000) |
| 1990 | Horse | 15g 33mm 10CNY (15000) 1oz 32mm 10CNY SH (12000) 5oz 70mm 50CNY (2000) 12oz 80mm 100CNY SH (1000) |
8g 23mm 150CNY (7500) 1oz 32mm 100CNY SH (6000) 5oz 60mm 500CNY (500) 12oz 70mm 1000CNY SH (200?) |
1oz 32mm 100CNY SH (2000) |
| 1991 | Goat | 15g 33mm 10CNY (15000) 1oz 32mm 10CNY SH (8100) 5oz 70mm 50CNY (2000) 12oz 80mm 100CNY SH (1000) |
8g 23mm 150CNY (7500) 1oz 32mm 100CNY SH (1900) 5oz 60mm 500CNY (400) 12oz 70mm 1000CNY SH (200) |
1oz 32mm 100CNY SH (500) |
| 1992 | Monkey | 15g 33mm 10CNY (10000) 1oz 32mm 10CNY SH (8100) 5oz 70mm 50CNY (1000) 12oz 80mm 100CNY SH (500) |
8g 23mm 150CNY (5000) 1oz 32mm 100CNY SH (1900) 5oz 60mm 500CNY (99) 12oz 70mm 1000CNY SH (99) |
1oz 32mm 100CNY SH (300) |
The 2nd Series 1988–1999 1 oz Silver Piedfort[]
These were minted as 1oz silver but were 32mm in diameter instead of standard 40mm. This increased the thickness in the style of a piedfort coin.
The 3rd Series 1997–2008 1 oz Silver[]
- 1997 Ox
- 1998 Tiger
- 1999 Rabbit
- 2000 Dragon
- 2001 Snake
- 2002 Horse
- 2003 Goat
- 2004 Monkey
- 2005 Rooster
- 2006 Dog
- 2007 Pig
- 2008 Rat
The 4th Series 2009–2020 1 oz Silver[]
The 1st Scallop Series 1993–2004 ⅔ oz Silver[]
Mintage: 6800 each
The 1st Scallop Series 1993–2004 ½ oz Gold[]
Mintage: 2300 each
The 2nd Scallop Series 2005–2016 1 oz Silver[]
Mintage: 60000 each
- 2005 Rooster
- 2006 Dog
- 2007 Pig
- 2008 Rat
- 2009 Ox
- 2010 Tiger
- 2011 Rabbit
- 2012 Dragon
- 2013 Snake
- 2014 Horse
- 2015 Goat
- 2016 Monkey
The 2nd Scallop Series 2005–2016 ½ oz Gold[]
Mintage: 8000 each
- 2005 Rooster
- 2006 Dog
- 2007 Pig
- 2008 Rat
- 2009 Ox
- 2010 Tiger
- 2011 Rabbit
- 2012 Dragon
- 2013 Snake
- 2014 Horse
- 2015 Goat
- 2016 Monkey
The 1st Fan Series 2000–2011 1 oz Silver[]
Mintage: 66000 each
The 1st Fan Series 2000–2011 ½ oz Gold[]
Mintage: 6600 each
The 2nd Fan Series 2012–2024 ⅓ oz Gold[]
The 2nd Fan Series 2012–2024 1 oz Silver[]
- Commemorative coins
- Coins of China
- Bullion coins