Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 1 Yuan 1991-1999, KM# 337, China, People's Republic
  • 1 Yuan 1991-1999, KM# 337, China, People's Republic
Obverse

Depicts the national emblem of the People's Republic of China, surrounded by the state name in Pinyin above and in Chinese below. Date below.

The national emblem contains in a red circle a representation of Tiananmen Gate, the entrance gate to the Forbidden City, where Mao declared the foundation of the People's Republic of China in 1949. Above this representation are the five stars found on the national flag. The largest star represents the Communist Party of China, while the four smaller stars represent the four social classes as defined in Maoism. The outer border is composed of sheaves of wheat and the inner border of sheaves of rice, with a cog-wheel at the center of the bottom portion of the border.

The Tiananmen or Tian'anmen, or the Gate of Heavenly Peace, is a monumental gate in the centre of Beijing, widely used as a national symbol of China. First built during the Ming dynasty in 1420, Tiananmen was the entrance to the Imperial City, within which the Forbidden City was located. Tiananmen is located to the north of Tiananmen Square, separated from the plaza by Chang'an Avenue. The building is 66 metres (217 ft) long, 37 metres (121 ft) wide and 32 metres (105 ft) high. Like other official buildings of the empire, the gate has unique imperial roof decorations.

ZHONGHUA RENMIN GONGHEGUO
中华人民共和国
1993

Reverse

Peony blossom. Value in Chinese and Pinyin above.

The peony is among the longest-used flowers in Eastern culture. Along with the plum blossom, it is a traditional floral symbol of China. It is also known as "flower of riches and honour" or "king of the flowers", and is used symbolically in Chinese art. In 1903, the Qing dynasty declared the peony as the national flower.

Pinyin is the Romanization of the Chinese characters based on their pronunciation.

1元
YI YUAN

Edge
Characteristics
Material Nickel Clad Steel
Weight 6.1 g
Diameter 25 mm
Thickness 2 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation (CBPMC)

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