China: Latest Gold and Silver Proof Commemorative Coins Honour Sun Yat Sen University

Originally known as the National Guangdong University, it was founded on the 11^th November 1924 by Sun Yat Sen (1866 - 1925) a Chinese statesman and political philosopher. Sun is remembered in modern Chinese history as the provisional first president of the Republic of China after the collapse of the Imperial government in 1911. Sun was also the first leader of the Kuomintang or, the Nationalist party of China. After Dr. Sun’s death in 1925, the school was named the National Sun Yat Sen University a year later, though in 1949, the University removed the prefix ‘National’. In its 100-year history, Sun Yat Sen University has attracted a large number of famous masters both at home and abroad, and is credited internationally with having a profound academic heritage. Sun Yat-sen University is ranked as one of the top universities in China by all the most influential and widely observed international university rankings and as of 2024, out of all universities worldwide, the Sun Yat Sen University is ranked number 72 by the Academic Ranking of World Universities. In recent years, the University has attracted and gathered a large number of outstanding academic talents from home and abroad and includes a full time faculty of over 17,000 teachers and professors. The current Sun Yat Sen University is the result of a merger with the Sun Yat Sen University itself and the Sun Yat Sen University of Medical Sciences in October 2001 with an annual budget totalling more than $2.5 Billion. There are now more than 65,000 full-time students who attend classes both on campus and online. 

The two-coin set of gold and silver commemorative coins are produced by the Shenzhen Guobao Mint Ltd. on behalf of the People’s Bank of China.

10 Yuan – Silver. Designed by artist Qin Sujian, the obverse design features the bronze statue of Dr. Sun Yat Sen and the surrounding landscape on the campus of University named in his honour. The design is complemented with the school motto - Study Extensively, Inquire Accurately, Reflect Carefully, Discriminate Clearly, Practise Earnestly written in Chinese lettering and placed over the statue. Above the primary design is a commemorative inscription 中 山 大 学 建 校 100 周 年 (100th Anniversary of the Founding of Sun Yat-sen University) and an inscription in English shown below along the lower rim that reads SUN YAT-SEN UNIVERSITY CENTENARY CELEBRATION. The denomination of 10元 is seen just above the English text. Colour tint is added to the stylised water waves placed behind the denomination.

100 Yuan – Gold. Designed by Lin Yihan, the primary design featured on the obverse is that of the Sun Yat Sen University emblem which depicts a stylised design of the clock tower building which is centred. To the left and right of the tower are the years 1924 and 2024 with the denomination of 100元 shown just under the tower. The commemorative inscription 中 山 大 学 建 校 100 周 年 (100th Anniversary of the Founding of Sun Yat-sen University) is placed above the primary design incused over the flat broad rim. An English inscription SUN YAT-SEN UNIVERSITY CENTENARY CELEBRATION is placed below the design and incused over the rim.

The reverse side of the gold and silver coins share the same design, that of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. The name of the country 中 华 人 民 共 和 国 (People’s Republic of China) placed above the Temple along the upper edge. The year of issue 2024 is shown below.

Available from the 11^th November, the gold and silver proof coins are encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. The Sun Yat Sen centenary coins are solely distributed by the China Gold Coin Group Company Ltd. and through authorised distribution partners. For additional information, please visit the website of the China Gold Coin Network.