Chinese lunar coins


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: both the 5 oz. silver lunar coin and the 5 oz. silver panda coin were debuted, the 5 oz. silver lunar coin was the first of the series to be over 99% pure silver, and 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.
YearAnimalSilver Coins Gold Coins Platinum Coins
1981Rooster15 g 33 mm 30CNY 8 g 23 mm 250CNY
1982Dog15 g 33 mm 20 CNY 8 g 23 mm 200 CNY
1983Pig15 g 33 mm 10 CNY 8 g 23 mm 150 CNY
1984Rat15 g 33 mm 10 CNY 8 g 23 mm 150 CNY
1985Ox15 g 33 mm 10 CNY 8 g 23 mm 150 CNY
1986Tiger15 g 33 mm 10 CNY 8 g 23 mm 150 CNY
1987Rabbit15 g 33 mm 10CNY
5 oz. 70 mm 50CNY 		8 g 23 mm 150CNY
1988Dragon15g 33mm 10CNY
1oz 32mm 10CNY SH
5oz 70mm 50CNY
12oz 80mm 100CNY SH 		8g 23mm 150CNY
1oz 32mm 100CNY SH
5oz 60mm 500CNY
12oz 1000CNY SH 		1oz 32mm 100CNY SH
1989Snake15g 33mm 10CNY
1oz 32mm 10CNY SH
5oz 70mm 50CNY
12oz 80mm 100CNY SH 		8g 23mm 150CNY
1oz 32mm 100CNY SH
5oz 60mm 500CNY
12oz 70mm 1000CNY SH 		1oz 32mm 100CNY SH
1990Horse15g 33mm 10CNY
1oz 32mm 10CNY SH
5oz 70mm 50CNY
12oz 80mm 100CNY SH 		8g 23mm 150CNY
1oz 32mm 100CNY SH
5oz 60mm 500CNY
12oz 70mm 1000CNY SH 		1oz 32mm 100CNY SH
1991Goat15g 33mm 10CNY
1oz 32mm 10CNY SH
5oz 70mm 50CNY
12oz 80mm 100CNY SH 		8g 23mm 150CNY
1oz 32mm 100CNY SH
5oz 60mm 500CNY
12oz 70mm 1000CNY SH 		1oz 32mm 100CNY SH
1992Monkey15g 33mm 10CNY
1oz 32mm 10CNY SH
5oz 70mm 50CNY
12oz 80mm 100CNY SH 		8g 23mm 150CNY
1oz 32mm 100CNY SH
5oz 60mm 500CNY
12oz 70mm 1000CNY SH 		1oz 32mm 100CNY SH

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.
Mintage: 6800 each
Mintage: 2300 each
Mintage: 60000 each
Mintage: 8000 each
Mintage: 66000 each
Mintage: 6600 each
to be continued

The 2nd Fan Series 2012–2024 1 oz Silver

to be continued