20 Chinese Yuan (Commemorative Year of the Snake 2025)

The 20 Chinese Yuan Commemorative Year of the Snake 2025 banknote was issued by the People’s Bank of China as part of its Lunar New Year commemorative series, celebrating the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac. These notes are legal tender in China but are produced primarily for commemorative, cultural, and collectable purposes rather than everyday circulation.

This issue combines traditional symbolism with modern banknote design. The obverse features a vibrant illustration associated with Lunar New Year celebrations, showing children engaged in festive activities that symbolise prosperity, renewal, and good fortune. The denomination “20 Yuan” is clearly displayed, along with the official markings of the People’s Bank of China and the year of issue, 2025.

On the reverse, the banknote showcases an ornate artistic depiction of the snake, one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. In Chinese culture, the snake represents wisdom, intuition, transformation, and careful strategy. The design is richly detailed, using layered colours, decorative patterns, and modern printing techniques to create a visually striking note that stands apart from standard circulation Renminbi.

Commemorative Lunar New Year notes such as this are typically issued in limited quantities compared with regular banknotes. While still classed as legal tender, they are rarely used for day-to-day transactions and are more commonly retained as souvenirs, gifts, or collectables. Outside China, these notes are often treated as specialist or non-standard currency by high-street banks.

• Indicate the quantity of 20 Chinese Yuan banknotes you want to exchange

• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button

• Your online account now shows the exchange value

If you are looking to exchange commemorative or collectable Chinese banknotes, we provide a secure UK service for both current and non-circulating Renminbi issues. Many banks do not accept commemorative designs, particularly those intended for collectors, but we regularly handle modern and special-issue Chinese currency for individuals, charities, and organisations.

For higher-value or specialist transactions, valid identification may be required in order to comply with Anti-Money Laundering Regulations (AMLR).