3 Yuan Twenty-Four Solar Terms-Stories, Start of Autumn

The Twenty-Four Solar Terms series draws on the ancient lunisolar calendar system formally inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2016 — a recognition that prompted the People's Bank of China to accelerate commemorative programs tied to traditional agricultural timekeeping. Start of Autumn, or Lìqiū, marks the 13th term, falling typically around August 7th, and historically signaled the end of summer field labor and the beginning of harvest preparation across northern China's grain belt.

The 3 Yuan denomination is peculiar to this series and has no broader circulation function in the PRC monetary system.