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 silver lunar coin and the 5 ozt silver panda coin were debuted,
  • the silver lunar coin was the first of the series to be over 99% pure silver, and
  • the 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 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, 30 CNY 8 g, 23 mm, 250 CNY
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, 10 CNY
, 70 mm, 50 CNY 		8 g, 23 mm, 150 CNY
1988Dragon15 g, 33 mm, 10 CNY
, 32 mm, 10 CNY SH
, 70mm, 50 CNY
12 oz, 80 mm, 100 CNY SH 		8 g, 23 mm, 150 CNY
, 32 mm, 100 CNY SH
, 60 mm, 500 CNY
12 oz, 1,000 CNY SH 		, 32 mm, 100 CNY SH
1989Snake15 g, 33 mm, 10 CNY
, 32 mm, 10 CNY SH
, 70 mm, 50 CNY
12 oz, 80 mm, 100 CNY SH 		8 g, 23 mm, 150 CNY
, 32 mm, 100 CNY SH
, 60 mm, 500 CNY
12 oz, 70 mm, 1,000 CNY SH 		, 32 mm, 100 CNY SH
1990Horse15 g, 33 mm, 10CNY
, 32 mm, 10 CNY SH
, 70 mm, 50 CNY
12 oz, 80 mm, 100 CNY SH 		8 g, 23 mm, 150 CNY
, 32 mm, 100 CNY SH
, 60 mm, 500 CNY
12 oz, 70 mm, 1,000 CNY SH 		, 32 mm, 100 CNY SH
1991Goat15 g, 33 mm, 10 CNY
, 32 mm, 10 CNY SH
, 70 mm, 50 CNY
12 oz, 80 mm, 100 CNY SH 		8 g, 23 mm, 150 CNY
, 32 mm, 100 CNY SH
, 60 mm, 500 CNY
12 oz, 70 mm, 1,000 CNY SH 		, 32 mm, 100 CNY SH
1992Monkey15 g, 33 mm, 10 CNY
, 32 mm, 10 CNY SH
, 70 mm, 50 CNY
12 oz, 80 mm, 100 CNY SH 		8 g, 23 mm, 150 CNY
, 32 mm, 100 CNY SH
, 60 mm, 500 CNY
12 oz, 70 mm, 1,000 CNY SH 		, 32 mm, 100 CNY SH

The 2nd Series 1988–1999 for 1 ozt Ag Piedfort

These were minted as silver, but were 32 mm in diameter, instead of the standard 40 mm. This increased the thickness in the style of a piedfort coin.

The 3rd Series 1997–2008 for 1 ozt Ag

The 4th Series 2009–2020 for 1 ozt Ag

The 1st Scallop Series 1993–2004 for 2/3 oz Ag

Mintage: 6,800 each

The 1st Scallop Series 1993–2004 for 1/2 ozt Au

Mintage: 2,300 each

The 2nd Scallop Series 2005–2016 for 1 ozt Ag

Mintage: 60,000 each

The 2nd Scallop Series 2005–2016 for 1/2 ozt Au

Mintage: 8,000 each

The 1st Fan Series 2000–2011 for 1 ozt Ag

Mintage: 66,000 each

The 1st Fan Series 2000–2011 for 1/2 ozt Au

Mintage: 6,600 each

The 2nd Fan Series 2012–2024 for 1/3 ozt Au

The 2nd Fan Series 2012–2024 for 1 ozt Ag