In the world of commemorative coins, a unique wuxia universe is coming to life. The 2025 Niue Island 10 Dollar 10 Ounce Silver Legend of Chu Liuxiang Commemorative Coin made its grand debut on November 26, 2025, during the opening ceremony of the first Macau International Coin Convention (MICC). Crafted in collaboration by leading designers from East and West, this coin not only continues the success of the previous three series, but also brings its creation story to the screen through a documentary.
Launch Highlights: Designers from East and West Unite for the Reveal
At the MICC opening ceremony on November 26, the highly anticipated 10-ounce coin was officially unveiled by Helmut Andexlinger, Chief Designer of the Austrian Mint; Yu Min, the acclaimed Chinese coin designer; David Chio, Chairman of the Macau Numismatic Society; and Michael Chou, President of Champion Auctions. Together, they launched this wuxiainspired coin, which harmoniously blends Eastern and Western design artistry.
On the following afternoon, November 27, a special forum delved into the making of the coin. Designers Yu Min and Helmut Andexlinger shared their creative vision and design journey, while Michael Chou explained the origins and importance of the project. Senior collector King Chan offered his perspective on collecting this distinctive wuxia coin series, and engraver Vincent Wang reflected on his role in shaping the first three series.
Design and Craftsmanship: A Wuxia World in Silver
This commemorative silver coin weighs 10 ounce, measures80 mm in diameter, and is made of 99.9% fine silver. Produced by Shanghai New Century Minting Co., Ltd., it has a limited mintage of 100 pieces.
The obverse, designed by Coin of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award winner Yu Min, depicts Chu Liuxiang on horseback, holding a fan. Set against a desert scene shaped like a folding fan—complete with three wuxia figures in battle—the silver figures stand out against the gold gilt backdrop.
The reverse, created by Austrian Mint Chief Designer Helmut Andexlinger, presents a group portrait of Chu Liuxiang and the three leading heroines: Chu Liuxiang poised with an open fan and a sharp gaze; Li Hong Xiu pointing her sword forward with determination; Su Rong Rong holding an oil-paper umbrella gracefully; and Song Tian Er gripping a short blade. Together, their dynamic poses and expressions bring the world of Legend of Chu Liuxiang to life.
Full Record: A Documentary Journey
On June 18, 2025, the Champion team visited the studio of celebrated Hong Kong comic artist Lee Chi Ching to film a documentary for the commemorative coin. As the artist behind the original drawing for the Chinese design, Lee Chi Ching shared how he adapted the classic wuxia figure of Chu Liuxiang
for the coin.
Lee Chi Ching is a respected name in Hong Kong comics, known for his distinctive Eastern aesthetic. With more than 30 years in comics and deep training in traditional Chinese painting, he has won the admiration of martial arts fiction masters Louis Cha and Gu Long. In 2007, his work The Art of War earned the first Japanese International Manga Awards.
The Wuxia Coin Series: From Start to Success
This coin continues an acclaimed series that began in 2023 with the first officially licensed wuxia coin, issued to mark the 55th anniversary of Legend of Chu Liuxiang. Series Two and Three followed, each focusing on different characters, with every entry earning nominations in the Coin of the Year Award categories—a sign of growing international recognition. The collaborative medal released for Series Three in Beijing by Andexlinger and Yu Min foreshadowed this deep cooperation.
Where Art Meets Craft
Producing this large coin involved multiple sampling and careful refinement, achieving a true East-West fusion from concept to completion. Before approval, four different trial versions were compared to ensure the final piece met the highest standards of craftsmanship—worthy of the wuxia spirit it embodies.
Witness a Legend Come to Life
The accompanying documentary takes viewers behind the scenes, from Lee Chi Ching’s early sketches in Hong Kong to the cross-continental collaboration between Yu Min and Helmut Andexlinger, through the minting in Shanghai, and all the way to its grand unveiling in Macau. More than just a tribute to the Legend of Chu Liuxiang, this project tells a numismatic story that crosses cultures, time, and borders.