Thomas Docherty, engraver and designer of the Royal Mint, shows one commemorative coin featuring the playful figure of a monkey at a workshop in Llantrisant, Britain, Feb. 1, 2016. [Xinhua/Wu Congsi]

Anne Jessopp, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint said: "Designer Wuon-Gean's 'Year of the Monkey' coin design reflects the characteristics of the lunar sign beautifully, and fuses centuries of the Royal Mint's craftsmanship and artistic skills with the centuries-old Chinese tradition of giving coins at the Lunar New Year."

She told Xinhua: "We know that our customers are anxious to see our coins as soon as possible before the year. We are aware that some people like to give these coins as gifts, so we make them available before the new year date itself."

The coins are supplied in bold red packaging, together with a booklet that reveals the customs that inspired the artist. The range will comprise a limited run of coins all featuring the number eight, bringing extra good luck to the Chinese New Year.

Thomas Docherty, engraver and designer at the Royal Mint, told Xinhua that he found Chinese Shengxiao very interesting. "There is a representative animal every year. I was born in the year of rooster, which is next year. I am really looking forward to the commemorative coins of rooster launched by the Royal Mint next year," a project he is currently working on.

The Royal Mint has an unbroken history of minting British coinage dating back over 1,000 years. It makes currency for over 60 countries across the world.