Monkey zodiac coins, equivalent to 10 RMB (USD $1.50), can be reserved at the China Construction Bank in Lujiazui starting January 8, according to Chinese State Media. The window for reservations opened at exactly 7:30 a.m. on Friday.

The new zodiac coin comes as a delight to coin collectors and Chinese Astrology believers.

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The People's Bank of China releases a zodiac coin every Lunar New Year based on the Chinese Astrology.

The Chinese zodiac calendar possesses a cycle of 12 years, with each year represented by an animal. One Chinese Astrology cycle commences with the year of the Sheep and will end with the year of the Horse.

The Monkey zodiac coins is the second 10-Yuan coins to be circulated by the People's Bank of China.

The decision to release the new coin comes after the release of the Monkey stamp last week, which caused a public stampede.

A total of 500 million Monkey zodiac coins will be released all over China. In Shanghai alone, approximately 23 million coins are slated for release.

The number of coins released into circulation this year will be higher than last year's production of only 80 million Sheep zodiac coins. The release of the Monkey zodiac coins also comes earlier than last year's release of the Sheep zodiac coins - on February 6, 2015.

The 10-yuan coin is adorned by the figure of a monkey with a peach-shaped lantern and plum flowers (symbols for 'festive cheer'). On the other side of the coin is inscribed the monetary amount, along with the current year.

Collectors are only allowed to reserve a maximum number of 5 coins and it can be picked up by January 16.

China's cental bank issued its first Chinese New Year zodiac coin in 2003. This coin series is believed to bring happiness and good fortune for the year.

Tagspeople's bank of china, 10 yuan, monkey zodiac coins, Chinese Astrology, Year of the Monkey