A staff member of the Royal Mint checks a coin of lunar Year of the Monkey at a workshop in Llantrisant, Britain, Feb. 1, 2016. (Photo: Xinhua/Wu Congsi)
The Royal Mint released a range of commemorative coins on Friday featuring the playful figure of a monkey to celebrate the forthcoming Chinese New Year on Feb. 8.
Produced specially for Britain, the Royal Mint's commemorative lunar coins blend ancient Chinese tradition with British craftsmanship, and form part of the Royal Mint's Shengxiao (Chinese zodiac) collection.
The Year of the Monkey coins have been designed by British-Chinese artist and printmaker Wuon-Gean Ho, who also designed coins for the 2015 Year of the Sheep and the 2014 Year of the Horse.
The 2016 Shengxiao collection sees the addition of a British kilo coin for the first time, Britain's largest commemorative coin, measuring 10 cm in diameter. "A limited run of only eight kilo coins will be minted, as a reference to the fact that in Chinese culture, the number eight brings good fortune," said the Royal Mint.
Each lunar year is linked to one of 12 zodiac animals, whose traits are attributed to those born during that year. Those born in the Year of the Monkey are thought to be energetic, quick-witted and sociable, and enjoy applying their appetite for knowledge to creativity and problem solving.
Ho told Xinhua: "Monkeys are very lively, intelligent, and adorably cheeky and playful. When I think of the Chinese monkey, I think of the legend of the Monkey King who stole the peaches of immortality and who had incredible powers."
She has depicted two rhesus monkeys in her composition. Ho explains: "Rhesus monkeys and humans shared a common ancestor about 25 million years ago. They are extremely intelligent, sociable and family oriented, and are equally good at climbing and swimming."
"The larger monkey is leaping from one tree forward into the void. He's leaping out into the unknown. This signifies that he's very brave and courageous. I hope people viewing the coin will appreciate some of the power and freedom that the monkey has."
Anne Jessopp, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint said: "Designer Wuon-Gean's 'Year of the Monkey' coin design reflects the characteristics of the lunar sign beautifully, and fuses centuries of the Royal Mint's craftsmanship and artistic skills with the centuries-old Chinese tradition of giving coins at the Lunar New Year."
She told Xinhua: "We know that our customers are anxious to see our coins as soon as possible before the year. We are aware that some people like to give these coins as gifts, so we make them available before the new year date itself."
The coins are supplied in bold red packaging, together with a booklet that reveals the customs that inspired the artist. The range will comprise a limited run of coins all featuring the number eight, bringing extra good luck to the Chinese New Year.
Thomas Docherty, engraver and designer at the Royal Mint, told Xinhua that he found Chinese Shengxiao very interesting. "There is a representative animal every year. I was born in the year of rooster, which is next year. I am really looking forward to the commemorative coins of rooster launched by the Royal Mint next year," a project he is currently working on.
The Royal Mint has an unbroken history of minting British coinage dating back over 1,000 years. It makes currency for over 60 countries across the world.
