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50 Yuan Qi Baishi
| Issuer | People's Bank of China |
|---|---|
| Year | 1997 |
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| Thickness | 8 mm |
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| Obverse description | Central portrait of the celebrated Chinese painter Qi Baishi (1864–1957), depicted as an elderly bearded man with spectacles, rendered in high relief with fine detailing of facial features and flowing white beard. The legend 中华人民共和国 arcs along the upper rim, identifying the issuing state, while the inscription 中国国画大师 齐白石 and the artist's life dates 1864-1957 appear to the left of the portrait in the field. The date of issue, 1997, is inscribed along the lower rim. The design is executed in a restrained, realistic style befitting a commemorative tribute to one of China's foremost artistic masters. |
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| Reverse description | Central motif depicting a wicker basket filled with fruits and vine leaves, executed in a style closely emulating Qi Baishi's celebrated ink-wash painting tradition, with delicate brushstroke-like relief work conveying texture and volume. The denomination 50元 appears in the left field, while the inscription 内画白石园 is inscribed vertically to the upper right. The composition is uncluttered, with generous open field surrounding the central design to emphasize the artistic imagery. The overall aesthetic faithfully evokes the master's distinctive approach to traditional Chinese painting subjects. |
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| Additional information |
The Qi Baishi commemorative series, issued through the 1990s, was part of China's deliberate program to position its silver proof output as internationally collectible art objects rather than simply bullion vehicles. Qi Baishi himself died in 1957 at roughly 93 years old, having survived the Japanese occupation of Beijing — during which he famously feigned illness and sealed his studio to avoid being pressed into service by occupying authorities.
The 1997 issue appeared the same year as the Hong Kong handover, when the mint was operating at extraordinary capacity across multiple commemorative programs simultaneously.