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The
Pan Liang was the standard coin of the realm in ancient
China.
These
Pan Liang coins are from the reign of Emperor Ch'e Wu-ti of the Western
Han Dynasty and were minted from about 140BC to
118BC. The
design of the coin, a round coin with a square hole became a standard
that
China continued to use for over 2000 years, until 1911AD. The
coins
are remarkably inexpensive considering their age.
In
118BC Emperor Yuan-shou withdrew the Pan-Liang coin and introduced a
new
coin, called the Wu Ch'u (Wu Shu or Wu Chu) It had a value of
5
Shu.
Unlike the earlier Pan Liang coins it had a raised rim to prevent
filing.
The coin proved quite popular, and continued to be issued in various
versions
for the next six centuries! 
Wang Mang
was appointed
regent for the young Chinese Emperor in 7AD. Two years later he killed
the boy and usurped the throne. He attempted major reforms of
China's economy including the abolition of slavery, introduction of an
income tax, redistribution of the land from the land owners to the
peasants, instituted price controls, confiscation of gold, demonetized
existing coins and instituted new ones based on an unbacked fiat
coinage. Despite the execution and exile of thousands, most
of
the reforms were not accepted. The economy collapsed, there were
widespread general strikes and massive starvation. In 23AD
Wang
was slain and his "reforms" were abolished. In 14AD, as part
of one of his many (unsuccessful) monetary reforms, he introduced a new
coin, called a Hou Ch'uan. The coin remained in use until
after
his death, when the Wu Ch’u was restored as the standard circulating
coin of China.
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
Jen
(Chin Tarters) were
a tribe that came out of Manchuria and were ancestors of the Manchu's
who later founded the Qing (Ch'ing) Dynasty. They initially
allied themselves with the Northern Song (Sung) Dynasty, then turned
against their allies, capturing vast amounts of treasure, most of the
Imperial family and by 1127AD controlledmost of Northern
China.
For 30 years they continued to use the existing Liao and Song coins in
circulation, along with notes and silver. In 1158 King Hai
Ling
Wang, (Wan Yan Liang) set up the first mint of the
Dynasty.
The coins were of good quality and bore the as the reign title Zheng
Long (Cheng-Lung). In 1161AD Hai Ling attempted to attack the
remenants of the Song Dynasty in Southern China, known as the Southern
Song (Sung) Dynasty. At the same time he faced the
simultaneous
rebellions of the nobles and various tribes in Manchuria. Finding his
forces spread too thin, he was defeated by the Southern Sung and was
assassinated by his own generals in 1161AD.
Hung Wu
(Hongwu) was the son of a poor peasant. He became a Buddhist
monk to avoid starvation. He later joined a group of bandits
that attacked the rich and gave to the poor. He proved to be
capable leader and soon took over leadership of a rebel army that was
fighting to overthrow the Mongol of the Yuan Dynasty. After
gaining control over Southern China he proclaimed himself Emperor in
1368 and founded the Ming Dynasty. He eliminated potential
rivals and soon defeated the Mongols. As Emperor, he implemented many
reforms, including distribution of land to small farmers, that lead to
a new period of prosperity for China.
A Ming dynasty coin is a lot cheaper than a Ming
Vase! This 1 cash coin was issued by Ming Emperor Tian Qi (T’ien Ch’i), who
ruled China from 1621 to 1627. Tian Qi became emperor at age 15. Probably
illiterate and uninterested in the affairs of state, his power was soon usurped
by his head eunuch and his nanny. The nanny sought to retain power by removing
all other women from the Emperor’s life by locking up his concubines and
starving them to death. The Emperor died in 1627, leaving a disintegrating,
bankrupt country.
LUCKY COIN OF THE FIRST MANCHU EMPEROR
OF CHINA
In 1644, the
collapsing Ming Dynasty invited the Manchu army to put down a peasant
uprising that had taken over their capital city of
Beijing. The Manchu’s promptly did so, but took
over the city for themselves, and placing their young Emperor Shun Chih
(Shunzhi) upon the throne of China, bringing a formal end to the Ming
Dynasty. By the time Shun Chih died of smallpox in 1662 the
Manchu Dynasty was firmly in control of China. The coins of
Shun Chih were thought to bring good luck. Probably because
wearing the coin around the neck was a way of showing support for the
new Dynasty, thus currying favor with government officials, while not
having the coin could invite harassment. We have a selection
of these old brass one cash coins from various mints. The
Emperors title ison one side, while the name of the mint is on the
other.
The T’ai P’ing Rebellion was a
major revolt against the Imperial Chinese government in the 19th
Century. An estimated 20 Million people died, making it one
of the most deadly military conflicts in history. It was
started by Hong Xiuquan, who believed he was the younger brother of
Jesus Christ. He instituted a number of radical reforms, many
of which were later adopted by the Communists. By
1855 he managed to gain control over much of central and southern
China, cutting the imperial treasury off from sources of copper it
needed to make coins. Without copper, the Imperial mint in
Chihli Province started to make cash coins out of iron. The iron coins
were
not well accepted and were soon discontinued. With
British and American help the T’ai P’ings were defeated by
1864. This iron 1 Cash coin was issued by the Paoting mint in
Chihli Province in the name of Ching Emperor Hsien-Feng, who ruled from
1851
to 1861. The coins grade VG to F and as might be expected,
show some signs of rust. They catalog $18.50 in VG. Our price is much
less.
In 1999 Macao was
returned to China after over 400 years of Portuguese rule.
China agreed to keep Macao a Special Administrative Region within China
and it has continued to use its own coins. The coins reflect
the mix of Chinese and Portuguese culture in Maco. This five coin set
includes the 10 Avos to the 2 Pataca in Very Fine to Uncirculated
condition. The 2 Pataca portrays the Penha Church and the
A-Ma Temple. The Penha Church, founded in 1622, is a point of
pilgramage for sailors embarking on a dangerous voyage. The
A-Ma temple was built five centuries ago. A-Ma was an
attractive woman who could calm stormy seas and protect fishermen.
The 1 Pataca features the Guia Lighthouse and the Chapel of
Our Lady of Guia, located in the Guia Fortress. The fortress
dates back to at least 1622. The lighthouse, completed in
1865, is the oldest lighthouse on the Chinese coast. The
brass 10,20 and 50 Avos coins depict dancers in the Lion Dance and
Dragon Dance festivals. BANKNOTES
OF THE PRIVATE BANKS
OF HONG KONGJAPANESE OCCUPATION OF MANCHUKUOWWII FIBER COIN OF JAPANESE
OCCUPIED MANCHUKUO
SILVER COIN FROM
MACAO COIN OF TIBETTABLE OF
CONTENTS FOR THE INTERESTING STUFF CATALOG
INDEX OF
COINS AND BANKNOTES IN THE INTERESTING STUFF CATALOGSECURE
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