In 1981, China began creating coins to celebrate and commemorate the Chinese New Year. Designed by Harry Brockway, these coins today are often called Chinese Lunar coins. The series consists of gold, silver and platinum coins that come in many different shapes, sizes and monetary values. The front side of each coin features a historical building or an image that is important in Chinese history or culture. The back of each coin portrays a zodiac animal. New coins are released each year and the animals depicted correspond with the year in which they are released.
Chinese zodiac coins are collected by people all over the world because the beautiful designs they portray bring age-old Chinese customs and historical events to life.
There are three coins that are particularly important in Chinese culture. Find out more about the Chinese panda, pig and rat coins below.
CHINESE PANDA COINS
First issued in 1982, the Chinese Panda is a series of gold and silver coins produced by several mints in China. The obverse of the coin portrays the Temple of Heaven in the center. The top of the coin says People’s Republic of China and the year of issue appears at the bottom. Specific themes also appear on the front side of commemorative issue
panda coins. The reverse side of the coin portrays a picture of a panda that changes each year.
Pandas are a symbol of Chinese society and are important to Chinese culture. Many Chinese people believe that pandas are like warriors because they are able to climb trees, find food and survive in extreme climates. In addition to symbolizing the strength of a warrior, pandas also represent peace due to their naturally gentle nature. Lastly, the black and white coloring of the animal is thought to represent yin and yang, which embodies the balance between harmony and peace.
CHINESE PIG COINS
The
Chinese pig coin is the sixth design in the lunar series and is the final sign of the Chinese Zodiac. This coin appears only once every 12 years, and the design portrays the personality traits of people born in the Year of the Pig. The reverse side of the coin features a pig lying on the ground beside her children. The foreground depicts a nighttime country landscape with a traditional home in the center. This design is meant to portray generosity, diligence, calmness and compassion. These traits are often associated with individuals born in the Year of the Pig.
CHINESE RAT COINS
The Year of the Rat is the first sign of the Chinese Zodiac. The reverse side of the coin prominently features a picture of a rat. According to Chinese folklore, a race took place by a number of animals to decide the order of the lunar calendar. The rat won the race by getting a ride on an ox to beat out the competition.
The design of
Chinese rat coins portrays the personality traits of people born in the Year of the Rat. Therefore, all these coins represent intelligence, adaptability and optimism. These are personality traits thought to be possessed by rats and people born in the years represented by this animal.
Chinese Zodiac coins are commonly obtained by people to bring good luck, specifically luck based on feng shui principles. Many of the coins that you can buy today are beautifully designed and are often replicas of money used in ancient China. People use these coins to promote good luck, money and abundance. At
Colonial Acre Coins, we’re committed to providing you with affordable, high-quality Chinese Zodiac coins. We are experts in the coin industry and take pride in the condition of our beautifully designed and highly collectible coins. Check out our inventory online to learn more about the coins we have in stock.
