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The 5 yuan coin was minted by the People's Bank of China in 2024 and is a continuation of the series dedicated to the art of Peking Opera, one of the most outstanding manifestations of traditional Chinese culture. The annual minting of coins in this series emphasizes the continuity of tradition and the state's attention to the preservation of intangible cultural heritage.
Image description
The reverse of the 2024 coin depicts a Peking Opera character in characteristic theatrical makeup and traditional clothing. The image is made in a detailed artistic style that conveys the colors and symbolism of theatrical face painting. Each issue of the series is usually dedicated to a specific role or a specific performance.
2024 — “旦 (Dàn) / Dan” (female roles)
Obverse
The national emblem of the PRC, “中华人民共和国” at the top, and “2024” at the bottom. The official descriptions also note the use of elements/motifs of traditional opera instruments in the composition of the obverse.
Reverse
Subject: female roles of Peking opera (“female roles”, 旦 / Dan) — figures/images of female roles with a combination of color elements and decorative graphics. Accompanying inscriptions: "中国京剧艺术" and "5元".
Historical context
Peking opera (京剧) is a classical musical and theatrical genre that emerged in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It synthesizes vocal art, acrobatics, pantomime and luxurious costume art. In 2010, UNESCO included Peking opera in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Theatrical makeup (臉譜, liǎnpǔ) is one of the most recognizable features of the genre: each color and pattern carries a deep symbolic meaning. The minting of coins depicting the characters of this theater simultaneously performs artistic, cultural, educational and diplomatic functions - popularizing Peking Opera among foreign collectors.
Numismatic significance
The 2024 coin of the "Peking Opera" series is a valuable addition to the collections of fans of Chinese art and numismatics. Compared with the coins of previous and subsequent years, it allows us to trace the evolution of the artistic concept of the series. For collectors who form complete annual collections, the 2024 coin is an indispensable element of a thematic collection dedicated to the traditional art of China.