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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! 
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. 
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.
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