Scott No: -
Serial number: 2016-17
Values in set: 3
Date of issue: July 13th, 2016
Denomination: 350 fen
Designer: Wang Huming
Size of stamps: 36 * 36 mm
Perforation: 13.5 * 13
Sheet composition: 18 (6 sets)
Sheet Size: 144 * 245 mm
Printing process: Offset + Engraving
Printing House: Henan Provinal Post Printing Works

Yin Ruins is a set of special stamps issued by China Post in 2016. Printed by Henan Post and Telecommunications Printing House, the full set includes 3 stamps with a total face value of 3.50 yuan.

The Yin Ruins, the site of the late capital of the ancient Shang Dynasty in China, are located on both banks of the Huan River in the northwest of Anyang City, Henan Province. They consist of the Yin Ruins Royal Mausoleum Site, the Palace and Ancestral Temple Site, and the Huanbei Shang City Site. Scientific excavation of the Yin Ruins began in 1928, unearthing a large number of capital construction remains and rich cultural relics represented by oracle bone inscriptions, bronze ware, and jade artifacts. These discoveries not only reflect the level of social productive forces in the Shang Dynasty, but also serve as important evidence for studying the religious rituals, lifestyles, and the degree of civilization of that period. In 1961, the Yin Ruins were listed as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level in the first batch, and in 2006, they were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

This stamp set features representative artifacts unearthed from the Yin Ruins. The first stamp depicts an oracle bone with inscriptions carved on it; the second stamp features the Houmuwu Ding, a piece of bronze ware; and the third stamp showcases a jade dragon. The stamps are produced using the "six-offset and three-intaglio" offset-intaglio combination printing process. Through the variations in the density and depth of the engraved lines and the integration of three different colors of intaglio printing ink, the stamps vividly and thoroughly capture the profound texture of the inscribed oracle bones, the majestic and mottled appearance of the time-honored bronze ware, as well as the warm and glossy texture of the jade artifacts that were believed to communicate with gods and spirits in ancient times.