In the middle of the coin a man is seated on a mat in the lotus position. In front of him is a bench at writing height. A book made of bamboo rods is resting on the bench, the left edge held by the man in his left hand. With his right hand he is using a writing implement. There is a stand located at the front right of the image (from the viewer’s perspective) with three burning flames. To the left, behind the man, is a richly decorated receptacle supported by four legs. In the foreground, slightly right of centre, is the value of the coin (5 yuan). The edge of the upper third of the coin features several Chinese symbols.