Taipei, Nov. 9 (CNA) A total of 55,000 sets of coins called "Indigenous Taiwanese tribes -- Truku" will be available to the public from Nov.12 at Bank of Taiwan branches around the country, a spokesman for the issuer, Central Bank of the Republic of China, said Monday. The 12th set of coins that commemorate indigenous Taiwanese tribes consists of a 2009 finely minted coin with a face value of NT$20, and a finely minted coin badge featuring the Truku tribe's facial tattoo and its legendary Rainbow Bridge.
The sets will be sold for NT$250 each and individuals will be allowed to buy only one set at a time, the central bank spokesman said.
Since 1998, the central bank has issued 11 sets of coins that commemorate the indigenous tribes of Yami, Paiwan, Puyuma, Rukai, Amis, Tsou, Bunun, Tayal, Saisiyat, Thao and Kavalan.
According to the Council of Indigenous Peoples, there are more than 490,000 indigenous people in Taiwan -- about 2 percent of the total population. The Truku tribe has about 24,000 members, most of whom live in eastern Taiwan's Hualien county.
Currently, there are 14 recognized indigenous tribes in Taiwan, each with its own distinct language, cultural features, traditional customs and social structure.
(By Chen Yun-hsuan and Fanny Liu)
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