5 Yuan Unicorn

Features

Issuer	People's Republic of China
Ruling authority	People's Republic (1949-date)
Type	Non-circulating coins
Year	1996
Value	5 Yuan (5元, 伍圓) 5 CNY = USD 0.68
Currency	Rénmínbì (1955-date)
Composition	Gold (.999)
Weight	1.56 g
Diameter	14 mm
Shape	Round
Technique	Milled
Orientation	Medal alignment ↑↑
Number	N# 89740
References	KM# 939 Standard Catalog of World Coins (85 volumes). , Y# 740 Whitman Publishing (publisher). A Catalog of Modern World Coins. Whitman Publishing (3 volumes).

Series: Unicorn Bullion

Obverse

Eastern unicorn, date below
title of PRC in Chinese

Script: Chinese

Lettering: 1996

Translation: People's Republic of China

Reverse

Head of western unicorn, right, denomination at right

Scripts: Chinese, Latin

Lettering:
UNICORN
5元

Edge

Reeded

Comments

The Chinese Unicorn series was a short-run limited edition of coins and sets released by the China Mint between the years of 1994 and 1997, produced in various sizes of platinum varieties, bimetallic coins, and gold and silver proofs.
The unicorn is a horned mythical creature of good fortune, and on the coins both an eastern and western depiction are to be seen. In traditional Chinese culture the Qilin is a magical creature of good omen and a bringer of prosperity. It has the head of a dragon with the antlers of a deer, the scales of a fish, the hooves of an ox, and the tail of a lion. Originally during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) the Qilin was associated with the giraffe. This was at the time when giraffes had first been brought back from Africa by the famous eunuch admiral Zhenghe (1371-1433). https://www.chinesecoins.com/search/unicorn-coins/

Prev. Y#740

Manage my collection

Please sign in or create an account to manage your collection.

Date	Mintage	UNC		Frequency
Undetermined
1996		$ 220	BU	0%
1996	5 000		Proof	100%

Values in the table above are expressed in USD. They are based on evaluations by Numista users and sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only; they are not intended to be relied upon for buying, selling or exchanging. Numista does not buy or sell coins or banknotes.

Frequencies show the percentage of Numista users who own each year or variety among all the users who own this coin. Since some users own several versions, the sum may be greater than 100%.

Get this coin

A member of this site wants to exchange it: filpolis

Numista Rarity index: 88 Search tips

This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

Bullion value: USD 168.73 Search tips

This value is given for information purpose only. It is based on a price of gold at 108 271 USD/kg. Numista does not buy or sell coins or metal.

Past sales

Pictures	Sale	Date	Version	Grade	Sold price
	Heritage Auctions 2025 January 26 Modern World Coins Showcase Auction 65185 Lot 98029	26 Jan 2025	1996 – BU	UNC (NGC MS68)	USD 192.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions
	Heritage Auctions 2024 April 28 Modern World Coins Showcase Auction 65176 Lot 99051	28 Apr 2024	1996 – BU	UNC (NGC MS69)	USD 159.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions