The People’s Bank of China : Wuyi Mountain National Park Circulating Commemorative Coin

Centered on the core design philosophy of harmony between humanity and nature, this commemorative coin distills the natural landscapes and cultural essence of Wuyi Mountain, a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site. It innovatively applies the scattered perspective principle of Chinese landscape painting to numismatic art. Through layered composition of distance, proximity, void and solidity, it unfolds a vivid “long scroll of Wuyi landscapes” within a limited space, achieving a perfect integration of natural scenery, human history and contemporary ecological civilization concepts.

This commemorative coin adopts multiple anti-counterfeiting technologies, including a bi-metallic structure, composite inner core material, oblique full and intermittent half reeding, hidden patterns and microtext, combined with multi-layer mold laser sandblasting technology. The bi-metal structure ingeniously echoes Wuyi Mountain’s unique status as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site: the outer ring resembles danxia cliffs, while the inner core evokes blue waters and red mountains. The oblique full and intermittent half reeding enhances anti-counterfeiting performance while creating a rhythmic tactile effect, like the ripples of the Nine-Turn Stream frozen on the coin edge. The multi-layer laser sandblasting technology delivers ink-wash-like gradations of void and solidity, perfectly reproducing the layered charm of five shades of ink in Chinese landscape painting.

Adopting a combined bird’s-eye and distant perspective, the design outlines the overall pattern of Wuyi Mountain National Park: distant danxia mountains landform stand majestically, symbolizing the eternity and vastness of nature; the Nine-Turn Stream meanders through the midground, embodying the continuity of cultural heritage; the foreground features Da Hong Pao tea plants and the Golden Kaiserihind butterfly, vividly reflecting biodiversity. Drawing on the artistic language of Chinese landscape painting, the design presents distant green mountains and vast blue waters, with a lucid artistic conception and great accessibility.

The cultural value of the Wuyi Mountain commemorative coin extends far beyond its visual documentation of scenic spots. It bears witness to the innovative practice of China’s national park system and showcases the remarkable achievements of China’s ecological civilization construction. From Zhu Xi’s philosophical reflection on the unity of principle and its manifestations to the contemporary model of sustainable utilization, Wuyi Mountain has always been a spiritual landmark for the harmonious coexistence of Chinese civilization and nature. As legal tender, this commemorative coin also serves as a cultural carrier, an ecological testament and a bridge for civilization.