Core Viewpoint - The People's Bank of China has announced an extension for the exchange period of the 2026 Year of the Horse commemorative coins and banknotes, ensuring public access to these items after the initial centralized exchange period ends [1][15]. Group 1: Exchange Details - Various banks have set new deadlines for the exchange of the commemorative currency, with the latest being February 2 for certain regions and January 31 for others [2]. - The extension applies only to individuals who successfully made reservations between January 13 and 14 but did not complete the exchange during the centralized period [2]. Group 2: Market Demand and Trading - The 2026 Year of the Horse commemorative coins and banknotes have seen significant demand since their announcement on December 22, 2025, leading to immediate sellouts upon the opening of online reservations [8]. - Users faced technical difficulties during the reservation process, with many reporting system congestion and unsuccessful attempts to secure their orders [9]. Group 3: Secondary Market Activity - The secondary market for the commemorative items has seen substantial price increases, with some sellers listing items at prices significantly above their face value, indicating a premium of over 109% for certain items [11]. - The commemorative coins and banknotes are characterized by their cultural significance and artistic design, contributing to their popularity among collectors and buyers [14]. Group 4: Exchange Progress - As of January 26, the exchange rates for the commemorative currency varied by region, with Beijing achieving a 95.34% exchange rate for coins and 98.02% for banknotes, while other regions reported lower rates [15].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the extended exchange period for the 2026 Year of the Horse commemorative coins and banknotes, highlighting the high demand and market dynamics surrounding these collectibles [1][5][12]. Group 1: Exchange Details - Several banks, including Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and China Construction Bank, have announced the extension of the exchange period for the 2026 commemorative coins and banknotes, primarily for those who successfully made reservations but did not complete the exchange during the centralized period [1]. - The new deadlines for exchanges vary by region, with some banks extending the deadline to February 2, while others have set it to January 31 or February 1 [1]. Group 2: Market Demand and Trading - The 2026 Year of the Horse commemorative coins and banknotes have been highly sought after since their announcement on December 22, 2025, leading to a rush for reservations that resulted in system congestion and many users unable to secure their orders [5][6]. - The secondary market has seen significant price inflation, with some sellers listing commemorative banknotes at prices ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 yuan for a face value of 400 yuan, indicating a premium of up to 6.5 times [8]. - The cultural significance and artistic design of the commemorative items contribute to their popularity, with collectors and buyers motivated by both cultural appreciation and personal milestones [12]. Group 3: Exchange Progress - As of January 26, the exchange rates for the 2026 commemorative coins and banknotes varied by region, with Beijing achieving a 95.34% exchange rate for coins and 98.02% for banknotes, while Shenzhen reported lower rates of 62.46% and 80.10%, respectively [12].