Every Lunar New Year, the People’s Bank of China (PBC) releases a zodiac gold coin. In Chinese astrology theory, the calendar has a 12-year cycle, and each year is represented by an animal, beginning with the Year of Goat and ending with the Year of Horse.

PBC began issuing Chinese New Year zodiac coins, which are worth 1 yuan (about $0.16), in 2003. The coin series include expressions for happiness and good fortune.

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Zodiac coins

Year of the Monkey
Year of the Monkey
Year of the Monkey
Year of the Monkey
Year of the Monkey
Year of the Monkey
Year of the Horse
Year of the Horse
Year of the Snake
Year of the Snake
Year of the Drogon
Year of the Drogon
Year of the Rabbit
Year of the Rabbit
Year of the Tiger
Year of the Tiger
Year of the Ox
Year of the Ox
Year of the Rat
Year of the Rat
Year of the Pig
Year of the Pig
Year of the Dog
Year of the Dog
Year of the Rooster
Year of the Rooster
Year of the Monkey
Year of the Monkey
Year of the Goat
Year of the Goat