The Most Beautiful: Chinese Coins After 1970 Selected by Werner Höpker
10china-br-volksrepublik-seit-1949-br-br-823985-O100 yuan 12 oz silver coin “Chinese Unicorn/Western Unicorn”, 1995.
A curiosity of international understanding. Ctesias of Cnidus reported in ca. 500 BC of unicorns in India, Marco Polo himself claims to have seen one on Sumatra in 1300. Even though unicorns are mythical creatures, it’s interesting to see that this motif is well-known in completely different cultures.
A curiosity of international understanding. Ctesias of Cnidus reported in ca. 500 BC of unicorns in India, Marco Polo himself claims to have seen one on Sumatra in 1300. Even though unicorns are mythical creatures, it’s interesting to see that this motif is well-known in completely different cultures.
09_100-yuan-platin-jahr-des-150720-O100 yuan platinum coin “Year of the Rabbit”, 1999.
…and another example…
…and another example…
08_100-yuan-platin-jahr-des-150702-O100 yuan platinum coin “Year of the Tiger”, 1998.
Another example…
Another example…
07_100-yuan-platin-jahr-der-150608-O100 yuan platinum coin “Year of the Rat”, 1996.
Once more an extremely rare platinum issue, this time featuring a motif from the field of Chinese zodiac signs.
Once more an extremely rare platinum issue, this time featuring a motif from the field of Chinese zodiac signs.
06china-3971582-O500 yuan 5 oz gold coin “Culture of the Yellow River”, 1995.
This issue beautifully reflects one part of the religious and cultural diversity of China. Nüwa is considered the creator of humanity and the inventor of music in early Chinese mythology. It cannot be seen here, but she is usually depicted with a snake-like tail. The similarity of the depiction to mermaids known from western fairy tales is probably no coincidence.
This issue beautifully reflects one part of the religious and cultural diversity of China. Nüwa is considered the creator of humanity and the inventor of music in early Chinese mythology. It cannot be seen here, but she is usually depicted with a snake-like tail. The similarity of the depiction to mermaids known from western fairy tales is probably no coincidence.
05_1000-yuan-gold-jahr-des-285497-O1,000 yuan gold coin “Year of the Dragon”, 1988.
A gorgeous motif that does not only look beautiful to people born in the year of the dragon, but has a long tradition in China in general.
A gorgeous motif that does not only look beautiful to people born in the year of the dragon, but has a long tradition in China in general.
04_1-kg-silber-freundschaftspanda-1994-zur-150529-O1 kilogram silver friendship panda on the occasion of the Munich 1994 International Coin Show.
The panda is an important symbol of modern China. It isn’t just used as motif of most Chinese bullion coins. Panda bears were traditionally given as diplomatic gifts, among others to US President Nixon in 1972 and to the German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt in 1980. This custom is probably one of the reasons why medals like this “Friendship Panda” were created.
The panda is an important symbol of modern China. It isn’t just used as motif of most Chinese bullion coins. Panda bears were traditionally given as diplomatic gifts, among others to US President Nixon in 1972 and to the German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt in 1980. This custom is probably one of the reasons why medals like this “Friendship Panda” were created.
03goldmuenzenset-5-x-100-yuan-234947-O KopieSet of 5×100 yuan gold coins, “Inventions and Discoveries of Antiquity”, 1992.
It features the same, beautiful motifs as no. 1, but in gold.
It features the same, beautiful motifs as no. 1, but in gold.
02_set-mit-5-x-25-4562431-OSet of 5 x 25 yuan platinum coins, “Inventions and Discoveries of Antiquity”, 1994.
In China, there have always been very few platinum coins, and all of them were issued at a very low mintage. Moreover, this set is the No. 1 of the entire series of this type.
In China, there have always been very few platinum coins, and all of them were issued at a very low mintage. Moreover, this set is the No. 1 of the entire series of this type.
01_5-x-200-yuan-silbermuenzen-150419-O200 yuan silver coins of 1 kilo each “Inventions and Discoveries of Antiquity”, 1992.
These coins have a wonderfully detailed design. This set was consigned to us by an elderly collector, who had been purchasing his – usually overpriced – coins for decades from a subscription-based company. He had already sold almost all other coins of his collection with heavy losses elsewhere. In the early 1990s, he had paid about DM 10,000 for this coin set – in light of the silver price of that time, this sum had also been far too high. The unexpectedly high hammer price of 290,000 euros achieved in our auction was enough to make up by far for the huge losses of the old man, so that since then he has been able to lead an economically relaxed life in retirement.
These coins have a wonderfully detailed design. This set was consigned to us by an elderly collector, who had been purchasing his – usually overpriced – coins for decades from a subscription-based company. He had already sold almost all other coins of his collection with heavy losses elsewhere. In the early 1990s, he had paid about DM 10,000 for this coin set – in light of the silver price of that time, this sum had also been far too high. The unexpectedly high hammer price of 290,000 euros achieved in our auction was enough to make up by far for the huge losses of the old man, so that since then he has been able to lead an economically relaxed life in retirement.
Teutoburger Münzauktion has been an expert of Far Eastern means of payment for many years. During this time, Werner Höpker gained a comprehensive overview of the coins of modern China and presents here the most beautiful and most interesting pieces that he came across.
For additional information, or in case you would like to contact Werner Höpker, visit the website of Teutoburger Münzauktion.
