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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.

THE DISASTROUS REIGN OF WANG MANG 

Wang Mang arranged to have himself appointed regent for the young Han Emperor in 7AD. Two years later he killed the boy and usurped the throne.  He attempted major reforms of China's economy, many of which were attempted by the communists in the 1950's, These included  the abolition of slavery, introduction of an income tax, redistribution of the land, institution of price controls, and confiscation of gold.  He demonetized existing coins and instituted new ones based on an unbacked fiat coinage. Despite the execution and exile of thousands, the reforms were not accepted. The economy collapsed; there were widespread general strikes and massive starvation. In 23AD Wang was slain, his "reforms" were abolished and the Han dynasty restored.  He attempted to abolish the popular Wu-Ch'u coin which had been in circulation for over a century.  He made multiple attempts to force the introduction of his own coins as part of his monetary reforms, however, his coins were widely rejected.   His final attempt at new coins was the introduction of the Hou Ch'uan coin in 14AD.  It too was poorly accepted. The coin remained in use until after his death, when the Wu Ch’u was restored as the standard circulating coin of China.

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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.

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UNIDENTIFIED OLD CHINESE CASH COINS  

We were finally able to find more old unsorted, unidentified Chinese cash coins. Folks have fun sorting, identifying and cataloging them.  And they are remarkably cheap considering their age. They are get hard to obtain because of the idiotic policies by our government.  The U.S. government considers Chinese cash coins to be a rare cultural item and are thus illegal to import, even though they are available by the millions and are sold legally and openly in China.  We purchased some small groups that were imported years ago.   Most are  Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127AD), along with some Tang Dynasty (618-907AD) and Qing (Ching) Dynasty (1644-1911) coins and maybe a few others.  Most grade VG to VF.  To assist you in identifying the coins we have an identification booklet "OLD COINS OF CHINA" by Holgar Jorgensen listed below.   Multiple lots are available and every lot is different.

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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.

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THE BANK OF CHINA'S CURSED BUILDING

The Bank of China is the oldest and one of the largest banks in China.  It was founded in 1905 and was named Bank of China in 1912. It was one of four major note issuing banks for the Republic of China.  In 1930 The Bank of China began to construct a new 34-story headquarters on the Bund in Shanghai.  It was built on property that had been confiscated from the Germans during World War I. Perhaps a departing German cursed the property.   It was to be the highest building in the Far East. However, Britisher Victor Sassoon, the owner of the Sassoon House (now Fairmont Peace Hotel) located next door, demanded that no building be higher than his.  The municipal government, under British control, limited the height of the bank building giving it a chopped off appearance.  In 1937 the building was topped out at a height of 15 stories and the bank issued new banknotes to mark the occasion.  The back of the notes depict the Bank of China building along with a partial image of the Sasson House on the left and the Yokohama Specie Bank the right.. The front depicts Sun Yat Sen and have a watermark of the Temple of Heaven.  Unfortunately, the war with Japan broke out the same year which delayed the completion and move into the building.  The bank was not able to move into the building until 1946. In 1949 the bank was nationalized by the Chinese communists. The notes were printed by Thomas De La Rue in London.

Item PM-CN-BOC37 BANK OF CHINA 5 & 10 YUAN NOTES 1937 P80 & P81 XF $5.00

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OLD CHINESE LOTTERY LOAN BOND

The Republic of China issued this 5 Dollar Second Nationalist Government Lottery Loan bond in 1926 to raise money to finance improvements in the Port of Whampoa in Canton, (now Pazou, a section of Guangzhou).  Rather than pay interest the bonds were automatically entered into a tri-monthly lottery that paid prizes from $1,000 to $50,000. This made the bonds popular with the Chinese, who are natural gamblers.  The front of the bond is in Chinese, the reverse in English.  Both the front and back are underprinted with a map of the port. The bonds specify that they are denominated  as "5 Dollars Canton Currency".  At the time the bond was issued China was involved in a three-way civil war between Northern China, Southern China and the Communists, each issuing its own currency, so it was necessary to specify which exactly Chinese currency.   The bond measures about 7 1/4" x 5" (18cm x 13cm).

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MULTI-LINGUAL NOTE OF CHINA FEATURES POTALA PALACE IN TIBET

Mao Zedong is featured on the front of this 2005 dated 50 Yuan note from China. The 170 x 50m note also includes a watermark of Mao.  The back depicts the Potala Palace in Lhasa in Tibet. It was the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas and the seat of the Tibet government from 1649 to 1959. It has been a museum since then and is a World Heritage Site.  The 13-story building contains over 1000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and about 200,000 statues.  Also on the back is the denomination written out in Mandarin Pinyin, Mongol, Tibetan, Uighur and Zhuang as well as English. 

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2019 CIRCULATING COINS OF CHINA

The People's Republic of China recently released new versions of the 1 and 5 Jiao and 1 Yuan coins with updated designs. All three coins continue to feature flowers on the reverse.  The size of the 1 Yuan is reduced from 25mm to 22.5mm.  The numeral "1" incorporates latent image of “¥” and “1”.  The coin has a lettered edge with "RMB" repeated three times.  The metallic content of the 5 Jiao is changed to nickel-plated steel, the typeface of the denomination revised and the orchid blossoms on the reverse scaled down.  The numeral on the 1 Jiao was also revised and the orchid on the reverse scaled down.    

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CHINA CELEBRATES YEAR OF THE TIGER

China commemorated the Year of the Tiger with this attractive 27mm bi-metallic 2022 dated 10 Yuan coin. The reverse depicts a traditional artistic paper-cutting of a tiger, a palace lantern and tree branches.  The obverse features the denomination surrounded by an intricate etched floral design. The large number 10 contains latent images which change from "R M B" to "10 10 10" when the coin is moved. The design also features micro-letters and other anti-counterfeiting devices.

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SQUARE CHINESE 5 YUAN COMMEMORATES TAISHAN MOUNTAIN   

China issued a square 2019 dated 5 Yuan honoring Taishan Mountain, also known as Mount Tai.  For over 3000 years the iconic mountain has been an important aspect of Chinese culture.  Emperors would perform sacrifices and poets would find inspiration on the mountain.   It houses multiple shrines and is associated with a number of Chinese deities.  Today it is a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site and a popular tourist destination.  The bronze 30mm coin depicts the Taishan Mountain on one side and the emblem of the People's Republic of China on the other. The design incorporates a number of anti-counterfeiting devices, including a shifting image and a series of tiny dots hidden in two locations in the design.

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SQUARE CHINESE 2020 5 YUAN COMMEMORATES THE WUYI MOUNTAINS  

China continued their annual series featuring UNESCO heritage sites with this square 2020 5 Yuan honoring the Wuyi mountains.   Wuyi is a range of mountains around the border of Fujian and Jiangxi provinces.  It is noted for its spectacular scenery, many caves, diverse plant and wildlife that includes more than 1000 rare species as well has many historical and religious sites.  One side of the 27.2mm brass coin depicts the distinctive Yunnu hill, a butterfly and two men on a raft on the Nine-bend River.  The other side portrays the emblem of the People's Republic of China. The design incorporates a number of anti-counterfeiting devices, including a shifting image and a series of tiny dots hidden in in the design.

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CHINA 2022 WORLD HERITAGE SQUARE 5 YUAN COINS

China released two 2022 dated square brass 5 Yuan coins featuring two UNESCO World Heritage sites. One depicts the Mount Emei and the Leshan Giant Buddha.  Mount Emei, at 10,167 feet (3,099m) is the highest of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China.  It is the location of the first Buddhist temple built in China during the first Century AD.  Nearby is the Leshan Giant Buddha, a 233 foot (71m) carved stone statue of Buddha. In comparison the statues on Mount Rushmore are only about 60 feet high.  It was built between 713 and 803AD and is still the largest and tallest stone Buddha in the world.  It was started by a monk who believed that the Buddha would calm the turbulent rapids that plagued boats traveling down the adjacent river.   So much stone was removed from the cliff face and deposited in the river that the currents were altered, making it safe for boats.   The other coin depicts of Mount Huangshan, which means Yellow Mountain.  It is often described as the “loveliest mountain of China”, and has played an important role in the history of art and literature in China since the Tang Dynasty in the 8th century.  Today it is a popular tourist destination with numerous trails and walking paths.

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CHINESE 1 OUNCE SILVER PANDAS

Each year China issues a silver 10 Yuan coin depicting their favorite animal: the Panda.  The 40mm Brilliant Uncirculated coins are always popular with collectors.  The 2013 issue depicts three pandas drinking from a pond. A Panda playing with a stick is on the 2014 issue. The 2015 issue depicts a Panda munching on its favorite food; bamboo.   The obverses of the coins depict the Temple of Heaven in Beijing and the date.  All three have a nominal face value of 10 Yuan, contain 1 troy ounce of .999 fine silver and come in a protective capsule.

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2022 CHINESE SILVER PANDA 

The 2022 Chinese Silver Panda features two young pandas playing in the snow.   Next to them is a privy mark featuring the numeral 40 and the head of a panda.  2022 is the 40th anniversary of this popular series of coins. The coin was designed by Chinese coin designer Huang Qin.  The obverse includes the date and the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.  The Brilliant Uncirculated 40mm coins have a nominal face value of 10 Yuan, contain 30 grams of .999 fine silver and come in a protective capsule.

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2023 CHINESE SILVER PANDA

China continues their popular annual silver Panda coin series with this 2023 issue depicting two young pandas playing in a tree.  They are facing each other, one in the tree and one below, extending their paws as if one is offering the other a “hand” up in the tree.  The coin was designed by China Mint's coin designer Tong Fang, who designed many of the previous coins in the acclaimed Panda series.  The obverse features the Temple of Heaven in Beijing and the date.  The Brilliant Uncirculated 40mm coin has a nominal face value of 10 Yuan, contain 30 grams of .999 fine silver and comes in a protective capsule.   We also have a limited number of the 2022 silver Panda featuring two young Pandas playing in the snow.

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MACAU 1 PATACA FEATURES HISTORIC LIGHTHOUSE AND CHAPEL

The Guia Lighthouse and Chapel are featured on this 1992 Macau (Macao) 1 Pataca coin.  The Chapel and adjoining fort were constructed between 1622 and 1638.  The lighthouse was added in 1865 and was the first lighthouse on the coast of China.  It is visible for some 20 miles (32km) in clear weather. The complex is a UNICEF World Heritage site and are symbols of Macau..  Unfortunately views of the famous lighthouse and chapel were blocked with the construction of the Chinese Liaison Office in 2010. The obverse includes a bat above stylized Chinese characters for Macau.  In Chinese lore bats bring the five blessings: life, wealth, health, virtue &  death after achieving one's destiny.

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TAIWAN CELEBRATES LIBERATION FROM JAPAN

After several unsuccessful attempts to gain control of Taiwan (Formosa), Japan took the island from China in 1895 as a result of China's defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War.  Upon Japan's defeat in 1945 in World War II, China regained control of Taiwan.  In 1995 the Republic of China, (now commonly called Taiwan), commemorated the 50th Anniversary of its liberation from Japan.  The 26mm copper-nickel 10 Yuan coin features a map of Taiwan and the dates 1945 1995.

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UNUSUAL FIBER COIN 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 this unusual 5 Fen coin 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 5 Fen was struck was struck only two years: 1944 and 1945. Because the material used was relatively 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.

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OLD COIN FROM FAR OFF TIBET  

Tibet is a fabled and isolated country located high in the Himalayas that is now controlled by China. This copper 1 Sho coin was issued from 1918 to 1928.  It features a snow lion on one side and inscriptions on the other.   The Snow Lion is a mythological animal that represents cheerfulness and clarity of thought.

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CHINESE TEA BRICK MONEY

For centuries tea was used as currency in Tibet, Mongolia, Siberia and parts of China.  To ease handling and transportation the tea was pressed into bricks.  Tea bricks were often preferred to metallic or paper money as not only could be used as money but could be made into tea, eaten as food in times of hunger or brewed as a medicine for treating coughs and colds.   In the early 20th century, a tea brick in Tibet would be typically valued at 8 silver tangkas, or about 3 to 4 days wages for a laborer.  We are pleased to offer three different tea bricks.  The large (standard size) tea brick measures about 7.25 x 9.5 inches (18.5 x 24 cm) and weighs 1100 to 1200 grams (about 2.5 pounds). The design features a temple, trees and stars.  The small tea brick is about 7.25” x 4.5” (18.5 x 11cm), weighs about 500 grams (a little over a pound) and features the temple and trees design.   Both are scored on the back so the brick may be broken up to make “small change”.  The round tea brick is an impressive piece of art in its own right. The front features an intricate dragon and phoenix design in high relief. The back features a mountain peak and Chinese inscriptions. It is about 7.5” (19.5cm) in diameter and weighs about 500 grams.  They are some of the most unusual and best smelling forms of money I ever handled.

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All items are guaranteed to be genuine, unless clearly indicated otherwise.
NOTE:  All pictures are of a typical item taken from stock.  Because we have multiples of most items, the item you receive may not look exactly the same, however it will be as described.

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Joel Anderson
PO Box 365
Grover Beach, CA 93483-0365
USA

Phone: 1 805 489 8045 | Fax: 1 805 299 1818
Email: orders@joelscoins.com

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