〔2010〕No.1

The People’s Bank of China is to issue a series of gold and silver commemorative coins of Chinese classical literary works—Outlaws of the Marsh (series II) on March 23, 2010. The series consists of 5 coins, including 2 gold coins and 3 silver coins, all of which are the legal tender of the People’s Republic of China.

I. Design of the coins

i. obverse design

The series of gold and silver commemorative coins bear the common obverse of the National Emblem of the People’s Republic of China with traditional Chinese ornaments around it, the title of the People’s Republic of China and the year date.

ii. reverse design

  The reverse of 1/3 oz gold coin depicts the portrait of one of the major characters in the novel -- Lu Junyi (partly colored), Chinese characters of “Jade Unicorn—Lu Junyi” and the face value.

The reverse of 5 oz rectangular gold coin features the scene of the Songjiang’s third attack on the Zhu family manor (partly colored), Chinese characters of “Third Attack on the Zhu Family Manor” and the face value.

The reverse of one of the 1 oz silver coin depicts the scene of Yangzhi selling his saber (partly colored), Chinese characters of “Blue Faced Beast--Yangzhi” and the face value; the reverse of the other 1 oz silver commemorative coin depicts the scene of Wusong’s slaying the tiger (partly colored), Chinese characters of “The Prest—Wusong” and the face value.

The reverse of 5 oz rectangular silver coin depicts the scene of Gongsunsheng defeating Gaolian by magic (partly colored), Chinese characters of “Gongsunsheng Defeats Gaolian by Magic” and the face value.

II. Specifications and mintages of the coins

  1/3 oz round gold coin is proof in quality, 23 mm in diameter, 150 Yuan in face value, 99.9% in fineness and contains 1/3 troy ounce of pure gold. The total mintage is 35,000 pieces.

  5 oz rectangular gold coin is proof in quality, 64 mm×40mm in dimension, 2000 Yuan in face value, 99.9% in fineness and contains 5 troy ounces of pure gold. The total mintage is 900 pieces.

  1 oz round silver coin is proof in quality (2 pieces), 40 mm in diameter, 10 Yuan in face value, 99.9% in fineness and contains 1 troy ounce of pure silver. The total mintage for each is 70,000 pieces.

  5 oz rectangular silver coin is proof in quality, 80 mm×50mm in dimension, 50 Yuan in face value, 99.9% in fineness and contains 5 troy ounces of pure silver. The total mintage is 12,000 pieces.

III. The series of gold and silver commemorative coins is jointly minted by Shenzhen Guobao Mint and Shanghai Mint, and solely distributed by China Gold Coin Incorporation.

The People’s Bank of China

                                                               March 12, 2010

Face value	Metal	Fineness	Quality	Weight	Shape	Diameter	Total Mintage
100Yuan	gold	99.9%	proof	1/3 oz	round	23mm	35,000 pcs
Obverse	The National Emblem of the People’s Republic of China with traditional Chinese ornaments around it, the title of the People’s Republic of China and the year date.
Reverse	The portrait of one of the major characters in the novel -- Lu Junyi (partly colored), Chinese characters of “Jade Unicorn—Lu Junyi” and the face value.

5 oz rectangular gold coin

Face value	Metal	Fineness	Quality	Weight	Shape	Dimension	Total Mintage
2000Yuan	gold	99.9%	proof	5 oz	rectangular	64mm×40mm	900 pcs
Obverse	The National Emblem of the People’s Republic of China with traditional Chinese ornaments around it, the title of the People’s Republic of China and the year date.
Reverse	The scene of the Songjiang’s third attack on the Zhu family manor (partly colored), Chinese characters of “Third Attack on the Zhu Family Manor” and the face value.

1oz round silver coins