Modern Chinese Varieties: 1998 5 Yuan Alligator

This is the first new variety of 2016, and the 12th installment of our monthly article featuring Chinese varieties. This month’s featured coin is the 1998 5Y Alligator coin that can be found with and without the bottom bar of the character “GUO” located on the reverse of the coin featuring the Alligator.

This is an example of the missing bar on the “GUO” character. (Photos 1 & 2).

(Left) 1998 5 Yuan Alligator ("without bar" variety), (Right) Close Up ("without bar" variety) Click images to enlarge.

This example shows the correct version with the bar on the character “GUO” (Photos 3 & 4).

(Left)1998 5 Yuan Alligator ("with bar" variety), (Right) Close Up ("with bar" variety) Click images to enlarge.

Both varieties share a common obverse, bearing the 1998 date, shown below (Photo 5).

Click image to enlarge.

Look for another interesting variety to be featured next month.