Weekly World Mint Coinage: September 3, 2026

China – China Gold Coin Corporation

Gold and Silver Proof Coins Mark Birth Anniversary of Prominent Leader

The People’s Bank of China has released commemorative coins marking the centenary anniversary of the birth of Jiang Zemin (1926 – 2022). He served as Communist China's General Secretary from 1989 and as the fourth President from 1993 until 2002.

Jiang unexpectedly came to power and as a compromise candidate following the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre, when he replaced Zhao Ziyang as Communist Party general secretary after he was ousted for his support of the student movement. Jiang also assumed the chairmanship of the Central Military Commission from Deng Xiaoping, and held this post until 2004. Jiang consolidated his hold on power to become the country’s paramount and core leader by the end of 1989. He officially introduced the term ‘socialist market economy’ in 1992 during his speech at the 14th CCP National Congress held later that year, which accelerated reform and opened up the economy to market reform, starting several key infrastructure projects and privatising many state-owned enterprises.

Jiang gradually vacated his official leadership titles from 2002 to 2005, being succeeded in these roles by Hu Jintao who would become the fifth president of communist China. In 2022, Jiang died at the age of 96 in Shanghai and was accorded a state funeral, after his retirement from public and political life, his political faction continued to influence affairs until much later.

10 Yuan, Silver. The obverse of the silver Proof coins features a portrait of Jiang Zemin as he was photographed during the 14th CCP National Congress and after his speech introducing the ‘Three Represents’ in Gaozhou, Guangdong Province in 2000. The text 江 泽 民 诞 辰 100 周 年 1926 - 2026 (100th Anniversary of Jiang Zemin's Birth 1926-2026) is placed above the primary design along the upper rim. The denomination 10 元 is shown just to the lower right of Jiang’s image.The silver Proof coins are produced at the Shenzhen Guobao Mint.

100 Yuan, Gold. The obverse of the small gold Proof coins features a front-facing image of Jiang Zemin and is recreated from his graduation photograph at Shanghai Jiaotong University in 1947. Along the upper rim and above the primary design is the commemorative text 江 泽 民 诞 辰 100 周 年 (100th Anniversary of Jiang Zemin's Birth) with the commemorative years 1926 – 2026 placed near the upper right rim. The denomination 100 元 is placed to the lower left of Jiang’s image. The eight gram gold Proof coins are produced at the Shenyang Mint.

500 Yuan, Gold. The obverse of the large gold Proof coins feature the official front-facing portrait of Jiang when he became President of the People’s Republic of China. Along the upper rim and above the primary design is the commemorative text 江 泽 民 诞 辰 100 周 年 1926 - 2026 (100th Anniversary of Jiang Zemin's Birth 1926-2026). The denomination 500 元 is placed to the lower right of Jiang’s image. The 30-gram gold Proof coins are produced at the Shanghai Mint.

The reverse of all the commemorative coins share the same design, which features the National Emblem of the People's Republic of China. The country's name is placed over the emblem along the upper rim in Chinese characters 中 华 人 民 共 和 国 (People’s Republic of China) and the year of issue 2026 is placed below.

Each silver and gold coin is available as an individual purchase and solely distributed by the China Gold Coin Corporation. For details, visit the website of the China Gold Coin Network or your nearest bullion distributor.

Kazakhstan - National Mint of Kazakhstan

Rectangular-Shaped Silver Proof Coins Mark the Adoption of a New Constitution

The National Bank of Kazakhstan is selling new collector coins highlighting the adoption of a new constitution. As part of the series entitled Unforgettable Events and Exceptional People, this year’s subject is the adoption of the new constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Since the mid-19th century, Kazakhstan was under Russian Imperial rule which lasted until 1917 and the abdication of Czar Nicholas II. Kazakhstan was almost immediately absorbed into the communist takeover of the former Russian Empire and the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic was established. The region functioned under the Constitution of the Kazakh SSR which was adopted in 1937. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Kazakh SSR declared its sovereignty and began the process of establishing a new legal and political system.

Independent Kazakhstan’s first constitution was adopted in January 1993 but was almost immediately regarded as not adequately addressing the complexities of an independent Kazakhstan. To address shortfalls, a draft Constitution was submitted to a national referendum on the 30th August 1995 and approved by a significant majority. It came into force on the 5th September, which is commemorated annually as Constitution Day.

On the initiative of current President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, he proposed amending the 1995 constitution during a state of the union address in 2025. The new draft constitution resulted in the rewriting of approximately 84% of the 1995 Constitution and including 95 articles in total. The nation’s fifth national referendum was held on the 15th March 2026 which asked whether citizens accepted the draft published by public media on the 12th February 2026. The date of the referendum, 15th March is now designated as an additional annual Constitution Day.

The silver rectangular silver Proof coins are produced by the National Mint of Kazakhstan at their facilities in Oskemen, East Kazakhstan on behalf of the National Bank. The obverse features a gold-plated image of the national crest, positioned toward the top half and centred. Above the crest along the top rim is the text ҚАЗАҚСТАН РЕСПУБЛИКАСЫ Republic of Kazakhstan) and just below the crest is the insignia of the National Bank along with the coins’ denomination 1000 ТЕҢГЕ. Below the denomination are the coins’ specifications Ag 925 31.1 g. As a background, the coin’s surface includes an ornamental pattern with refracting colour properties. The reverse features a representation of the new constitution with the image of a book whose cover is decorated with the national crest, traditional ornamental edging and text which reads ҚАЗАҚСТАН РЕСПУБЛИКАСЫНЫҢ КОНСТИТУЦИЯСЫ (Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan). The edges of the pages are also shown with gold-plating. Below the primary design is the coins’ year of issue, 2026.

Each proof coin is specially encapsulated to accommodate its rectangular shape and presented in a heavy-gauge card case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, visit the e-webshop of the National Bank of Kazakhstan.

Kirghizstan - National Bank of Kirghizstan

Gold Proof Coins Mark Independence Anniversary

The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic releases new gold Proof coins in celebration of Independence Day. The gold coins are part of the collector's series entitled Historical Events and this year’s theme is 35 years of the Independent Kyrgyz Republic.

For this Central Asian landlocked country, this day is the primary holiday celebrated annually on the 31st August since 1991. This day symbolises the freedom, sovereignty and national unity of the Kyrgyz people. Briefly known as Kirghizia, this country’s history spans a variety of cultures and empires and although geographically isolated by its highly mountainous terrain, Kyrgyzstan has been at the crossroads of several civilisations as part of the Silk Road along with other commercial routes. Kyrgyzstan attained full sovereignty as a nation state after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991.

The distinctive Kyrgyz flag, adopted in 1992, depicts the 40-ray sun and is a reference the 40 clans of Manas, a legendary hero who united 40 regional clans, making up the present-day Kyrgyz people. The graphical element in the sun's centre depicts the wooden crown, known as a tunduk and found atop of a yurt, a collapsible traditional dwelling used by nomads in the steppes of Central Asia.

The primary design on the obverse  features an image of a white snow leopard walking forward on a mound and against the background of the waving state flag of the Kyrgyz Republic. The white snow leopard is featured since it is the national symbol of Kyrgyzstan signifying the greatness, strength and natural wealth of the republic. The inscription Эгемен Кыргыз Республикасы (Sovereign Kyrgyz Republic) is placed above the design along the upper rim and the denomination 100 с is shown just under the leopard’s back paw. The additional inscription 35 жыл (years) is placed to the right of the coin’s value. The reverse of the coin features the numeral 35 offset to the right along with the Kyrgyz crest centred and placed within the numeral 3. The numeral is superimposed against a background of geometric lines incorporating elements of Kyrgyz traditional patterns reflecting the rich heritage and cultural diversity of Kyrgyzstan. Along the left rim is the text Кыргыз Республикасынын Улуттук банкы (National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic) along with 2026, the year of issue. Below the numeral 3 are the coins’ specifications Au 999 and 7.78 g.

Each gold Proof quality coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity and quality. For additional information, visit the e-webshop of the National Bank. The collector coins are also sold at cash desks of the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic.