1986 China Historical Figures 4-pc Silver Proof Set

Discover the Inventions of the Han Dynasty on China’s 1986 Historical Figures Set

China’s influential Han Dynasty was an ancient monarchy that reigned for more than 400 years. The Han dynasty was so dominant in every aspect of Chinese culture that the very name “Han” is now a word that denotes someone who is ethnically Chinese. Today, ethnic Hans in Eastern Asia represent the world's largest ethnic group, making up about 18% of the global population.

That extraordinary era saw new life in 1986 thanks to the China Mint when it was used as the theme for China’s third Historical Figures set. Each coin in the fabulous four-piece set comes in gorgeous Proof condition with beautiful frosted details rising over mirror-like fields. The 5 Yuan legal-tender coins were struck in 90% fine silver and each features its own unique, one-year-only design. The designs feature:

• Sima Qian (145-87 BC – He was the Imperial Court’s Grand Historian who authored the Shiji, which is recognized as being the most important history of China down to the end of the 2nd century.
• Cai Lun (AD 50-121) – He was the inventor of paper and the paper-making process that enabled civilization to develop much faster than with earlier writing materials. This process is one of the most important inventions in history.
• Zhang Heng (AD 79-139) – Known as the Leonardo da Vinci of ancient China, he was the inventor of the world’s first seismometer that could detect earthquakes hundreds of miles away.
• Zu Chongzhi (AD 425-500) – A great mathematician and astronomer during the Northern and Southern Dynasty that immediately Hollowed the Han Dynasty, his main contribution was computing the numerical value of Pi.

China’s Han Dynasty was founded by the peasant rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu. The second imperial dynasty of China, it is known for its long reign and many achievements, which included the development of the civil service, government structure and scientific advancements. The era was equally infamous for its deadly dramas within the royal court that often saw teenage boys crowned as emperor and supported by their powerful mothers. The Han dynasty also saw the promotion of Confucianism as the state religion and the opening the Silk Road trade route to Europe, which had a lasting impact on Chinese and European history.

Just 13,635 of these magnificent sets were ever struck and this is the first time we have ever been able to offer them to our customers. Also known as the “Founder of Chinese Culture” series, these sets are very popular and hard to find. Each set comes in its original government packaging consisting of a beautiful presentation case and a certificate of authenticity. Don’t delay, click one to your cart today!

THIRD RELEASE IN TEN-YEAR-SERIES – For the third release in its Historical Figures series, the China Mint selected a theme dedicated to the influential Han Dynasty known for its long reign and its achievements, including the invention of paper, the first seismometer and the computation of pi. The set includes four one-year-only reverse designs, each depicting different people. The common obverse features the Peoples Republic of China national emblem.

STRUCK IN GLEAMING SILVER – The coins in this set were each struck in 22 grams of 90% fine silver and measure 36 mm in diameter.

LEGAL-TENDER COINS – Each coin in this set is 5 Yuan legal tender in China.

GORGEOUS PROOF CONDITION – These coins come in gorgeous Proof condition, meaning they were crafted from hand-selected planchets, polished dies and multiple strikes to produce frosted details rising over mirror-like fields.

LOW LIMITED EDITION – The 1986 China Historical Figures Four-Piece Silver Proof Set has a small edition limit of just 13,635. Your set will arrive in its original government packaging.

Hurry! To collect the interesting personalities of China’s influential Han Dynasty in the 1986 China Historical Figures Four-Piece Silver Proof Set, you’ll have to act fact because few of these sets are still available after the initial release more than 30 years ago!