China's Central Bank Unveils Commemorative Coins Honoring Polar Exploration Feats

The People's Bank of China (PBOC) is commemorating the 40th anniversary of China's first polar scientific expedition with a set of commemorative coins to be issued on April 17, 2024. The set consists of a gold coin featuring penguins and the polar icebreaker Xuelong, and a silver coin depicting the research icebreaker Xuelong 2 and a scene of ice core extraction.

People's Bank of China to Issue Commemorative Coins Honoring Polar Exploration Achievements

Beijing, China - The People's Bank of China (PBOC), the central banking institution of the People's Republic of China, has announced plans to issue a set of commemorative coins celebrating the nation's pioneering efforts in polar exploration. The issuance date has been set for April 17, 2024, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of China's inaugural polar scientific expedition.

The commemorative set will comprise two distinct coins, one crafted from gold and the other from silver. Both coins will be legal tender within the territory of China, featuring a circular shape and bearing the national emblem, the name of the country, and the year of issuance.

The obverse side of the coins will showcase the official national emblem of China, accompanied by the country's name in Chinese characters and the year of issuance written in both Arabic numerals and the Chinese lunar calendar system.

The reverse side of the gold coin will depict an artistic tableau featuring a colony of penguins and China's renowned polar icebreaker vessel, the Xuelong. Additionally, the coin will incorporate an intricate blend of symbolic imagery, including a partial map of Antarctica with designated markers indicating the locations of China's five Antarctic research stations, a fixed-wing aircraft designed for polar expeditions, and Chinese characters inscribed with the commemorative message "The 40th Anniversary of China's First Polar Expedition." The coin's denomination will also be prominently displayed.

The reverse design of the silver coin will predominantly feature the Xuelong 2, the nation's cutting-edge research icebreaker. It will also showcase a captivating scene of Chinese scientists engaged in the meticulous task of extracting ice core samples. The majestic figure of a polar bear will be depicted alongside the scene. The reverse side will further embellish the coin with a partial map of the Arctic region, adorned with markers representing China's two Arctic research stations. The aurora borealis, a celestial marvel associated with the polar regions, will be rendered with artistic finesse. The commemorative message "The 40th Anniversary of China's First Polar Expedition" will be inscribed in Chinese characters, accompanied by the coin's denomination.

The gold coin will hold a face value of 100 yuan (approximately 13 U.S. dollars) and will be issued in a limited mintage of 10,000 pieces. Its composition will comprise 8 grams of pure gold, and its diameter will measure 22 millimeters.

The silver coin will have a face value of 10 yuan and a diameter of 40 millimeters. Its weight will consist of 30 grams of pure silver, and its maximum mintage quantity will be set at 50,000 pieces.

The issuance of these commemorative coins serves as a testament to China's long-standing commitment to scientific exploration and its unwavering pursuit of knowledge and understanding of the polar regions. The designs of the coins pay homage to the nation's pioneering spirit and the remarkable achievements of its polar explorers, who have pushed the boundaries of human endeavor in some of the most extreme and unforgiving environments on Earth.

The commemorative coins will be made available to the public through select channels authorized by the People's Bank of China. Collectors, enthusiasts, and individuals with an appreciation for China's polar exploration history are encouraged to secure these unique and meaningful numismatic artifacts.