The People’s Bank of China have announced the forthcoming issue of a new coin which is in conjunction with the Beijing International Stamp & Coin Exposition– held every year since its debut on the numismatic calendar in 1995. The coin pays tribute to the differences of coin, minting & design styles over the past eight centuries between Oriental and western civilizations as the design for this celebratory coin includes a depiction of a gold ducat issued in the 13th century as well as a depiction of a holed coin issued during the Yuan Dynasty – of the same era, as part of the actual motif.
Since its first opening 17 years ago, the Beijing International Stamp & Coin Exposition, with the full support from the People’s Bank of China and other relevant organizations, coupled with the active participation of collectors and dealers from the coin community, has developed into the one of the most prestigious numismatic events in Asia. In 2011, the three-day show attracted 213 exhibitors from home and abroad and more than 30,000 visitors. The fair was staged at the China World Trade Centre in downtown Beijing.
The obverse of the new coin includes a reproduction of a Venetian gold Ducat, issued between 1280 and 1284. This design is placed in front of a reproduction of a bronze Yuan Dynasty bronze coin with the characteristic squared-hole punched in the middle (circa 1279 – 1368) which is greater in size and centered. Along the upper left half is the text “BEIJING INTERNATIONAL STAMP AND COIN EXPOSITION” and the text in Chinese characters appears below in a horizontal direction “北京国际邮票钱币博览会” The denomination is placed to the upper right corner.
The reverse includes in the design, the logo of the Coin and Stamp fair placed in the center along with representations of both coin punch-outs from sheets of metal but also symbolizing the perforations of stamps which can be seen along the edges of two rectangular shapes placed to the right and lower half of the overall design. The year of issue “2012” is seen just under the monogram of the fair. To the upper left half, is text in Chinese which denotes the country of issue.
The coin, struck by the Shenzhen Guobao Mint Co. Ltd has a face value of 10 Yuan. It is struck to proof quality and in .999 pure silver. The weight is 31.1 grams (one ounce fine) with a diameter of 40 mm. A total mintage of 30,000 pieces has been authorized.
The coin will be available during the Fair which will be held from the 2nd to the 4th November. For more information on the event, please visit their website at: http://www.chinaexhibition.com/Official_Site/11-1535-Coins_Expo_2012_-_2012_Beijing_International_Coins_Expo.html Interested collectors should make enquiries to the China Gold Coin Corporation distribution at: http://www.chngc.net/EnVersion/Index.aspx who are the official distributors of the coin – though they do not fulfill individual international orders directly.
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