Issued to mark the 2008 Beijing Olympics, this coin was part of a broad circulation series released alongside the Games rather than a purpose-struck commemorative. China ran multiple overlapping Olympic coin programs simultaneously — precious metal issues, base metal commemoratives, and circulation pieces — creating a crowded field that has kept collector premiums on the brass issues modest despite the cultural weight of the event.
The archer subject references Zhang Juanjuan's gold medal in women's individual archery at Beijing, one of the more unexpected Chinese victories of those Games.
Issued to mark the 2008 Beijing Olympics, this coin was part of a broad circulation series released alongside the Games rather than a purpose-struck commemorative. China ran multiple overlapping Olympic coin programs simultaneously — precious metal issues, base metal commemoratives, and circulation pieces — creating a crowded field that has kept collector premiums on the brass issues modest despite the cultural weight of the event.
The archer subject references Zhang Juanjuan's gold medal in women's individual archery at Beijing, one of the more unexpected Chinese victories of those Games.