CHINESE
COINS & CURRENCY
All items guaranteed to
be genuine. I have over 40 years experience with Chinese
coins and buy only from reliable suppliers in the United States.
ONLY
COIN OF THE SHORT-LIVED SUI DYNASTY OF CHINA
The
Sui Dynasty lasted only 37 years, from 581 to 618AD, yet led a major
transition in China’s history. The dynasty united China for
the first time after four centuries of division and strife.
Buddhism was encouraged and Confucian rituals reintroduced. Major
construction projects were undertaken, including upgrades to the Great
Wall and construction of the Grand Canal which is still in use
today. The canal connected northern and southern China
together with the inland capitals of the dynasty. Major
reforms were implemented, redistribution of farm lands, including
making the penal code and administrative rules fairer, more lenient and
simpler, taxation reform, and a major coinage reform. A new,
well made, broad-rimmed Wu Chu coin with distinct characters was
introduced. The Dynasty conquered northern Vietnam and made a
disastrous attempt to conquer Korea. Large numbers of
conscripts were needed for the construction projects and to fight wars,
leading to a shortage of agricultural workers. The
heavy taxation and compulsory labor duties needed for the ambitious
wars and construction projects led to widespread revolts and the
dynasty was overthrown in 618AD.
Item
CN-SUI CHINA, SUI DYNASTY WU CH'U 581-618AD VG
$10.00
FAMOUS K'AI YUAN
COIN OF THE TANG DYNASTY
The
K'ai Yuan coin was introduced by Chinese Emperor Kao Tsu, who founded
the Tang Dyansty in 618AD. The coins replaced the previously
used
Wu-Chu and other coins. The high quality of the coins and
excellent calligraphy set a standard for Chinese coins for the next
1000 years! The legend on the coin, K'ai Yuan Tung
Pao
translates as "precious currency of the K'ai Yuan
era". The
Tang Dynasty was a brilliant period in Chinese history. It
was an
era of great prosperity and artistry. The K'ai Yuan
coin
continued to be issued for the next 300 years, until the collapse of
the Dynasty in 907AD. During much of the dynasty
the coin
was the only denomination struck. Because of the relatively
low
value of the coin and the high level of commerce a LOT of the coins
were issued during that period. (Think of doing all your transactions
with only pennies!) As a result the coin, though
over 1000
years old, is still plentiful and inexpensive.
Item
CN-KAI CHINA K'AI YUAN 1 CASH COIN, (Scj.
312+) 618-907AD F-VF $4.00
A
WORD ABOUT THE NAMES OF CHINESE EMPERORS
The
names of Chinese emperors can be confusing - because one Emperor will
have many names. Like everyone, they have personal name, but
that
is often different than their birth name. Once they become
emperor however, the emperor choses a reign title.
The
reign title is the name that appears on their coins. Some
emperors used one reign title for their entire reign. Others
would change their reign title every few years. Some reign title would
be used by more than one emperor. In addition, after an
emperor
died he was given a posthumous name, which often was long enough to
read like an entire sentence.
Adding the confusion is that there are multiple ways of translating the
same name. Most traditional English language references used
the
Wade-Giles transcription. Many recent books use the modern
Pinyin
transcription. Thus the emperor who ruled China from 1022 to
1063AD is known as Jen Tsung in the Wade-Giles transcription and Ren
Zong in the Pinyin transcription. He used nine reign titles during his
reign. His reign titles in the Wade-Giles
transcription are
T'ien-Sheng, Ming-tao, Ching-yu, Pao-yuan, K'ang-ting, Ch'ing-li,
Huang-yu, Chih-ho, and Chia-yu. In the Pinyin transcription
that
is Tian Sheng, Ming Dao, Jing You, Huang Song, Kang Ding, Huang You,
Zhi He and Jia You. His birth name (using Pinyin) was Zhao
Zhen. His Posthumous name (using Pinyin) is Emperor Titian
Fadao
Jigong Quande Shenwen Shengwu Ruizhe Mingxiao, but that is too long for
anyone to use!
For the purposes of these coins, I will usually refer to both
the
reign title that appears on the coin (as that is what is used by most
collectors of Chinese coins), and the common personal name that the
emperor is known by in the history books. I will usually
include
both the Wade-Giles and Pinyin transcription.
ATTRACTIVE
LARGE
COINS OF CHINA’S NORTHERN SONG DYNASTY
The
Northern (Pei) Song (Sung) Dynasty came to power in 960AD.
China prospered under its wise Emperors. In 1101 Emperor Hui Zong (Hui
Tsung) came to power. A cultured man, poet, painter
and avid patron of the arts, he spent vast sums collecting art,
supporting artists, and building a costly imperial
garden. He neglected the affairs of
state. The civil service became increasingly corrupt, the
army weak, and the treasury bankrupt. The Emperor allied himself with
the increasingly powerful Jin (Chin Tarters) of Manchuria to attack and
destroy the neighboring Liao Kingdom. The Jin (Chin), then
turned against him and succeeded in sacking and destroying the weakened
Song Dynasty. Hui Zong was captured, along with most of the
Imperial Court, and died in exile in Manchuria.
In 1102 Hui Zong began to issue this
attractive, large (32 to 35mm) copper 10 Cash coin (some references
call it a 5 Cash) using the reign title Chong Ning (Ch'ung Ning). The
coins had far less copper than ten one cash coins, so brought in
substantial extra revenue for the government. As might be
expected, this devalued money drove the good money out of circulation
which caused a severe coin shortage. The public outcry caused
the Emperor to discontinue the coins by 1106AD. In keeping
his appreciation for calligraphy, the coins were minted in two
beautiful script styles: orthodox script and “Slender Gold” a script
which he developed. We have examples of both styles. The
orthodox script coins grade Fine to Very Fine and are problem
free. The “Slender Gold” coins grade Fine to Very Fine for
wear, but tend to have heavy encrustations. They are
attractive coins from a cultured, but inept, Emperor of China.
Item
CN-S622 CHINA 10 CASH CHONG NING 1102-1106AD
ORTHODOX SCRIPT Sch. 622-623 F-VF $15.00
Item
CN-S621 CHINA 10 CASH CHONG NING 1102-1106AD
SLENDER GOLD SCRIPT Sch. 621 F-VF-CRUSTY out
OLD COINS OF
CHINA by Holger
Jorgensen
A
small but complete identification guide book for Chinese cash coins
from
600BC
to 1912AD. Best book if you just want to identify Chinese cash
coins
by
emperor and date without going into varieties. Features line drawings
of
coins with reign title and reign dates, but not much further
information. Reprint. 26
pages
and plates. 5.5" x 8.5", softcover.
Item
BK-Jorgensen Book: OLD COINS OF CHINA by
Holger Jorgensen
$6.00
CHINESE
MOTHER OF PEARL GAMBLING TOKENS
These
beautiful, hand carved mother-of-pearl gambling tokens were
manufactured in China from the late 18th Century to the late 19th
Century. Most were exported to Europe where they were used in
a card games. They come a variety of shapes and sizes,
including
round, rectangular, oval and even fish-shaped.
Most are about 28mm to 55mm.
Item CHINA-MOPx1 1 CHINESE MOTHER OF PEARL
GAMBLING TOKEN
$15.00
Item CHINA-MOPx3 3 DIFFERENT CHINESE MOTHER
OF PEARL GAMBLING TOKENS
$39.75
CHINESE
DRAGON AND FLAG COPPERS
The
first machine-struck Chinese copper 10 and 20 Cash coins were
issued by the Canton mint in 1900. The coins were popular and
soon other provincial mints began making them. The 10 cash
are approximately 27mm, the 20 Cash are approximately 32mm.
Both coins featured the Imperial Dragon on one side and Chinese
inscriptions on the other. In 1911 China became a republic
and new designs were introduced featuring the crossed flags of the
Republic of China and the Revolutionary Army Flag. The
reverse usually included stalks of grain and the inscriptions in
English. Numerous varieties were issued by warlords who controlled the
provincial mints. By about 1927 coinage of the copper 10 Cash
coins ceased as the central government gained control over the
mints. There are far too many varities of these coins for me
to
take the time to sort and catalog them. But then the many varieties
have made these coins popular with
collectors, so I will let you have all the fun.
Item CN-10DRAGONx1 CHINA DRAGON 10 CASH,
(circa 1900-1911)
VG-VF $3.00
Item CN-20DRAGONx1 CHINA DRAGON 20 CASH,
(circa 1900-1911)
VG-VF $3.50
Item CN-DRAGONx10 10 MIXED CHINESE DRAGON 10
& 20 CASH VG-VF
$25.00
Item CN-10FLAGx1 CHINA FLAG 10 CASH, (circa
1912-17)
VG-VF $2.50
Item CN-20FLAGx1 CHINA FLAG 20 CASH, (circa
1912-17)
VG-VF $3.00
Item CN-FLAGx5 5 MIXED CHINESE FLAG 10
& 20 CASH, VG-VF
$12.00
SZECHUAN MILITARY GOVERNMENT 100
CASH COIN
Szechuan
(Sichuan) was a prosperous province in south-central China. One of the
triggers of the Chinese Revolution of 1911 was the central government’s
attempt to nationalize the locally owned Szechuan-Hankow Railroad in
order to sell it to foreign banks. The collapse of the imperial
government in 1911 led to the establishment of the Great Han Szechuan
Military Government in the province. It operated with almost
total independence. In 1913 the Military Government issued this copper
100 Cash coin dated Year 2 of the Republic of China. One side of this
39mm copper 100 Cash coin features the emblem of the Szechuan Military
Government. Inscriptions in Chinese are on the other.
Item
CN-SZEC100 SZECHUAN, CHINA 100 CASH (1913)
Y450var. F-VF
$13.50
OLD TOKEN FROM
SHANGHAI
Tong
K. Wing, a merchant in Shanghai, issued this 5 Jiao (50 Cents) token
about 1920. The 32mm aluminum token is believed to have been
issued about 1920. One side has legend “TONG K WING SHANGHAI,
CHINA” and the numeral “5” The other side has a floral
pattern. The coin grades XF for wear but has significant
tarnish.
Item
CN-TONG TONG K WING, SHANGHAI CHINA 5 JIAO
TOKEN $19.50
WORLD WAR II
CHINESE CURRENCY
Reduced
size images
In July 1937 Japan began a
full scale invasion of China. Japanese forces quickly took
Peking
(Beijing) and Shanghai. In December the Japanese conquered
the capital
city of Nanking, and engaged in a campaign of mass murder and
rape.
Rather than surrender, the Chinese retreated and moved their capital to
the remote city of Chungking (now Chongqing) in south-west
China. The
1940 red 10 Yuan and purple 100 Yuan notes were issued by the
Nationalist Chinese government's Bank of China in Chungking.
Both notes feature Sun
Yat Sen, the founding father of the Republic of China on the
front.
The back pictures the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. The notes
were
printed by the American Banknote Company and are in Chinese on the
front, English on the back. The 100 Yuan note is overprinted
"Chungking" in English on the back, and in Chinese on the front.
Item
PM-CN-10Y CHINA 10 YUAN NOTE, 1940 P85
F-VF $5.00
Item
PM-CN-100Y CHINA 100 YUAN NOTE, 1940 P88c
F-VF $7.50
WORLD WAR II
JAPANESE MILITARY CURRENCY USED IN CHINA
Reduced
size images
issued Military Currency starting in 1938 for use in the areas of China
that they occupied. Because civilians were forced to accept the
Military Yen, which was not backed and could not be exchanged into
Japanese Yen, it cost the Japanese government virtually nothing to
purchase whatever they wanted. The initial issues of Military currency
were created by taking partially completed Japanese homeland notes and
overprinting them on the front and back with four large red characters
that read "Military Note".
Item
PM-CN-M5YOVPT JAPANESE MILITARY 5
YEN OVERPRINTED NOTE FOR CHINA, 1938-44 PM25 F $3.00
SCARCE MANCHUKUO
1 CHIAO
In
1931 Japan invaded the three north-eastern provinces of China and set
up the nominally independent nation of Manchukuo. A puppet government
was set up under P’u-Yi, the last Emperor of China. In early
1940 Manchukuo introduced a new 1 Chiao (10 Fen) coin. The
21mm copper-nickel coin was smaller and thinner than the previous 1
Chiao, and only 1mm larger than the copper-nickel 5 Fen. The
coin was replaced later that year with a larger aluminum 1 Chiao, which
both avoided confusion between the coins and saved copper and nickel
for the war effort. The coin is dated Year 7 in the Kang Te
era. One side features two stylized winged horses.
The other has the national emblem and the denomination in Chinese.
Item
MAN-10 MANCHUKUO 1 CHIAO 1940 (KT7) VF-XF $20.00
UNUSUAL FIBER
COINS FROM WWII JAPANESE OCCUPATION OF CHINA
Manchukuo was a Japanese puppet state carved out of Northeastern China
prior to World War II. Due to a severe metal shortage towards
the end of the war, it issued these unusual 1 Fen and 5 Fen coins
struck in a thick, red material rather than metal. The coins are dated
in the year of the reign of Emperor Kang Te of
Manchukuo. Kang Te was formerly known as Pu Yi, who
was the last Emperor of China until he was deposed in 1911. The
Japanese used him as the figurehead leader for Manchukuo. The
1 Fen struck only a single year; 1945. The 5 Fen was struck
in 1944 and 1945. Because the material used was relitively soft, the
coins show considerable wear. These historic World War II coins are
some of the few circulating non-metallic coins of the 20th century.
Item
MAN-1F MANCHUKUO 1 FEN 1945 Y13a
G-VG $3.00
Item
MAN-5F MANCHUKUO 5 FEN 1944-45 YA13a
G-VG $7.50
MENG CHIANG
JAPANESE PUPPET BANK
During
the 1930's Japan conquered much of Northern China. The Meng
Chiang Bank was a puppet bank established by the Japanese to provide
currency for the area between Mongolia and Manchukuo, known as Inner
Mongolia. In 1938 the Bank issued its only coin: a
copper-nickel 5 Chiao. One side of the coin features a pair of stylized
dragons and the denomination. The other side has a
floral design.
Item
MENG521 MENG CHIANG BANK 5 CHIAO 1938 (KM521)
VF-XF $10.00
FEDERAL RESERVE
BANK OF THE
PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF CHINA
The
Federal Reserve Bank of the Provisional Government of China was a
Japanese puppet bank based in Beijing that provided coins and currency
for northern China. Its coins picture the famous Temple of
Heaven in Beijing. This 1 Chiao is dated Year 32 of the
Republic of China, which was 1943. It was the last year the
bank issued coins. The coin shows little or no wear, but does
have some spots or stains.
Item
CN-PROV525 PROVISIONAL GOVT. OF CHINA 1
CHIAO Year 32=1943 VF-XF-stains
$10.00
COIN
SET FROM THE
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
This
unpackaged six coin set from The People's
Republic of China
includes the 1, 2 and 5 Fen, 1 and 5 Jiao, and 1 Yuan dating from 1986
to 2010. The aluminum 1, 2 and 5 Fen show the national emblem
featuring
the Tiananmen Gate and the entrance to The Forbidden City on one side
and the denomination on the other.. The
Forbidden City was the former Imperial Palace that was closed to the
public. It is now a vast museum and a major tourist
attraction. Above the gate are 5 stars. The 1 Jiao, 5 Jiao and 1 Yuan
feature flowers on one side and the denomination on the other.
All six coins are Uncirculated.
Item
CN-SET6PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA 6 COIN
SET, 1 Fen - 1 Yuan, Unc.
$4.50
CHINA CELEBRATES
CALLIGRAPHY
China
celebrated its long tradition of
beautiful calligraphy with this 2017 commemorative 5 Yuan.
The design
features the Chinese character "He" which means harmony. The
character
is repeated as a latent image that can only be seen when the coin is
tilted in the "brush stroke" next to the main character. The
obverse
features the arms of the People's Republic of China. The 30mm coin is
struck in brass and is Brilliant Uncirculated.
Item
CN-CALL17 CHINA 5 YUAN 2017 CALLIGRAPHY BU
$6.00
CHINA CELEBRATES
YEAR OF THE DOG WITH
BI-METAL 10 YUAN
China
recently released this 2018 dated bi-metallic 10 Yuan coin to
commemorate the Year of the Dog. The 27mm coin depicts a dog,
a peach-shaped lantern, and plum flowers on the obverse. The
denomination surrounded by an intricate etched design is on the
reverse. The large number 10 contains latent images, which change from
Western to Chinese characters as the coin is moved.
Item
CN-DOG18 CHINA 10 YUAN 2018 YEAR OF THE DOG,
BI-METAL BU
$6.75
MACAU
COIN FEATURES DRAGON DANCE
The
Dragon Dance is featured on this 1993 50 Avos coin of Macau
(Macao). The dance, often performed during Chinese New Year
celebrations dates back over 2000 years and can involve numerous
performers to make up a dragon. The longer the dragon the
more luck it will bring the community. The reverse features a
stylized bat above the stylized Chinese characters for Macau and the
name of the country in Portuguese. Bats are harbingers of the
five
Chinese blessings: long life, wealth, health, love of virtue, and a
peaceful death after achieving one's destiny. The Chinese characters
are designed in such a way that it symbolizes “Shou” or
longevity. The 23mm brass coin was struck at the
British Royal Mint.
Item
MO-50A MACAO 50 AVOS 1993 KM72 UNC.
$3.00
Also see:
COINS OF TIBET
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The
Sui Dynasty lasted only 37 years, from 581 to 618AD, yet led a major
transition in China’s history. The dynasty united China for
the first time after four centuries of division and strife.
Buddhism was encouraged and Confucian rituals reintroduced. Major
construction projects were undertaken, including upgrades to the Great
Wall and construction of the Grand Canal which is still in use
today. The canal connected northern and southern China
together with the inland capitals of the dynasty. Major
reforms were implemented, redistribution of farm lands, including
making the penal code and administrative rules fairer, more lenient and
simpler, taxation reform, and a major coinage reform. A new,
well made, broad-rimmed Wu Chu coin with distinct characters was
introduced. The Dynasty conquered northern Vietnam and made a
disastrous attempt to conquer Korea. Large numbers of
conscripts were needed for the construction projects and to fight wars,
leading to a shortage of agricultural workers. The
heavy taxation and compulsory labor duties needed for the ambitious
wars and construction projects led to widespread revolts and the
dynasty was overthrown in 618AD.
The
K'ai Yuan coin was introduced by Chinese Emperor Kao Tsu, who founded
the Tang Dyansty in 618AD. The coins replaced the previously
used
Wu-Chu and other coins. The high quality of the coins and
excellent calligraphy set a standard for Chinese coins for the next
1000 years! The legend on the coin, K'ai Yuan Tung
Pao
translates as "precious currency of the K'ai Yuan
era". The
Tang Dynasty was a brilliant period in Chinese history. It
was an
era of great prosperity and artistry. The K'ai Yuan
coin
continued to be issued for the next 300 years, until the collapse of
the Dynasty in 907AD. During much of the dynasty
the coin
was the only denomination struck. Because of the relatively
low
value of the coin and the high level of commerce a LOT of the coins
were issued during that period. (Think of doing all your transactions
with only pennies!) As a result the coin, though
over 1000
years old, is still plentiful and inexpensive.
The
Northern (Pei) Song (Sung) Dynasty came to power in 960AD.
China prospered under its wise Emperors. In 1101 Emperor Hui Zong (Hui
Tsung) came to power. A cultured man, poet, painter
and avid patron of the arts, he spent vast sums collecting art,
supporting artists, and building a costly imperial
garden. He neglected the affairs of
state. The civil service became increasingly corrupt, the
army weak, and the treasury bankrupt. The Emperor allied himself with
the increasingly powerful Jin (Chin Tarters) of Manchuria to attack and
destroy the neighboring Liao Kingdom. The Jin (Chin), then
turned against him and succeeded in sacking and destroying the weakened
Song Dynasty. Hui Zong was captured, along with most of the
Imperial Court, and died in exile in Manchuria.
OLD COINS OF
CHINA by Holger
Jorgensen
These
beautiful, hand carved mother-of-pearl gambling tokens were
manufactured in China from the late 18th Century to the late 19th
Century. Most were exported to Europe where they were used in
a card games. They come a variety of shapes and sizes,
including
round, rectangular, oval and even fish-shaped.
Most are about 28mm to 55mm. 
The
first machine-struck Chinese copper 10 and 20 Cash coins were
issued by the Canton mint in 1900. The coins were popular and
soon other provincial mints began making them. The 10 cash
are approximately 27mm, the 20 Cash are approximately 32mm.
Both coins featured the Imperial Dragon on one side and Chinese
inscriptions on the other. In 1911 China became a republic
and new designs were introduced featuring the crossed flags of the
Republic of China and the Revolutionary Army Flag. The
reverse usually included stalks of grain and the inscriptions in
English. Numerous varieties were issued by warlords who controlled the
provincial mints. By about 1927 coinage of the copper 10 Cash
coins ceased as the central government gained control over the
mints. There are far too many varities of these coins for me
to
take the time to sort and catalog them. But then the many varieties
have made these coins popular with
collectors, so I will let you have all the fun. 
Szechuan
(Sichuan) was a prosperous province in south-central China. One of the
triggers of the Chinese Revolution of 1911 was the central government’s
attempt to nationalize the locally owned Szechuan-Hankow Railroad in
order to sell it to foreign banks. The collapse of the imperial
government in 1911 led to the establishment of the Great Han Szechuan
Military Government in the province. It operated with almost
total independence. In 1913 the Military Government issued this copper
100 Cash coin dated Year 2 of the Republic of China. One side of this
39mm copper 100 Cash coin features the emblem of the Szechuan Military
Government. Inscriptions in Chinese are on the other.
Tong
K. Wing, a merchant in Shanghai, issued this 5 Jiao (50 Cents) token
about 1920. The 32mm aluminum token is believed to have been
issued about 1920. One side has legend “TONG K WING SHANGHAI,
CHINA” and the numeral “5” The other side has a floral
pattern. The coin grades XF for wear but has significant
tarnish. 
In
1931 Japan invaded the three north-eastern provinces of China and set
up the nominally independent nation of Manchukuo. A puppet government
was set up under P’u-Yi, the last Emperor of China. In early
1940 Manchukuo introduced a new 1 Chiao (10 Fen) coin. The
21mm copper-nickel coin was smaller and thinner than the previous 1
Chiao, and only 1mm larger than the copper-nickel 5 Fen. The
coin was replaced later that year with a larger aluminum 1 Chiao, which
both avoided confusion between the coins and saved copper and nickel
for the war effort. The coin is dated Year 7 in the Kang Te
era. One side features two stylized winged horses.
The other has the national emblem and the denomination in Chinese.
During
the 1930's Japan conquered much of Northern China. The Meng
Chiang Bank was a puppet bank established by the Japanese to provide
currency for the area between Mongolia and Manchukuo, known as Inner
Mongolia. In 1938 the Bank issued its only coin: a
copper-nickel 5 Chiao. One side of the coin features a pair of stylized
dragons and the denomination. The other side has a
floral design. 
The
Federal Reserve Bank of the Provisional Government of China was a
Japanese puppet bank based in Beijing that provided coins and currency
for northern China. Its coins picture the famous Temple of
Heaven in Beijing. This 1 Chiao is dated Year 32 of the
Republic of China, which was 1943. It was the last year the
bank issued coins. The coin shows little or no wear, but does
have some spots or stains.
China
celebrated its long tradition of
beautiful calligraphy with this 2017 commemorative 5 Yuan.
The design
features the Chinese character "He" which means harmony. The
character
is repeated as a latent image that can only be seen when the coin is
tilted in the "brush stroke" next to the main character. The
obverse
features the arms of the People's Republic of China. The 30mm coin is
struck in brass and is Brilliant Uncirculated.
China
recently released this 2018 dated bi-metallic 10 Yuan coin to
commemorate the Year of the Dog. The 27mm coin depicts a dog,
a peach-shaped lantern, and plum flowers on the obverse. The
denomination surrounded by an intricate etched design is on the
reverse. The large number 10 contains latent images, which change from
Western to Chinese characters as the coin is moved. 
The
Dragon Dance is featured on this 1993 50 Avos coin of Macau
(Macao). The dance, often performed during Chinese New Year
celebrations dates back over 2000 years and can involve numerous
performers to make up a dragon. The longer the dragon the
more luck it will bring the community. The reverse features a
stylized bat above the stylized Chinese characters for Macau and the
name of the country in Portuguese. Bats are harbingers of the
five
Chinese blessings: long life, wealth, health, love of virtue, and a
peaceful death after achieving one's destiny. The Chinese characters
are designed in such a way that it symbolizes “Shou” or
longevity. The 23mm brass coin was struck at the
British Royal Mint. 