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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.

ANCIENT CHINESE KNIFE COIN 

Knives were a common barter item in ancient China, but a bit hazardous to carry around to trade. Some of China's first coins were made to look like a knife, so that people would think of them as money, but they lacked a sharp blade. A hole was included for easy stringing. This knife coin is called the "Ming" after the city where it was made (not the dynasty that was much later). It dates from about 400BC to 225BC and was widely used in northeastern China.   It is made of bronze and is about 5 inches (13cm.) long.

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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.

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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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A WORD ABOUT THE NAMES OF CHINESE EMPERORS

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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.

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A DOUBLE-CROSSING MING REBEL ATTEMPTS TO CREATE A DYNASTY

Wu Sangui (Wu San Kuei) had been the highest General of the Ming Dynasty.  In 1644, despite his control of a 40,000 man army, he opened the gates of the Great Wall of China to the Manchus, allowing them to take control of Beijing and overthrow the Ming Dynasty.  The Manchu (Ch’ing Dynasty) Emperor rewarded him by giving him near total control over Yunnan and nearby regions, along with huge subsidies from the imperial treasury, the ability to collect taxes, monopolies on salt, copper and gold, and control of his 100,000 man army. In 1673 the Manchu court attempted to revoke his near-independent status.  Wu Sangui responded with open rebellion. He proclaimed the Great Zhou (Chou) Dynasty and ordered the restoration of Ming customs.  By 1676 most of southern and western China was under rebel control and it appeared that the Manchu dynasty might fall. However Wu apparently overextended himself and the Manchu forces began to retake lost territory.  In 1678 Wu Sangui proclaimed himself Emperor, however he died of dysentery in October of that year.  His grandson Wu Shifan (Wu Shih Fan) took command over his forces, but was soon defeated.  In 1681 Wu Shifan was forced to commit suicide, bring an end to the short-lived Great Zhou Dynasty.  We are pleased to offer 1 Cash coins from both of these Ming Rebels who attempted to overthrow the Ch’ing Dynasty and establish their own dynasty.

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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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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.  

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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OLD BANKNOTES OF CHINA

In 1930 The Central Bank of China introduced special banknotes, called Custom Gold Units (CGU). Initially the unusual vertical notes were used to pay customs duties, were backed by silver and had a fixed exchange rate of 1 CGU = 40 U.S. cents.   After 1935 China stopped backing the notes with silver. By 1942 the notes entered general circulation alongside other Chinese banknotes, with a value of 1 CGU = 20 Yuan.  The notes continued to be used until 1948.   The front of the note depicts Sun Yat-sen, the founder of the Republic of China..  The Shanghai Custom House is on the back. The notes were printed by the American Banknote Company. This set of 3 notes includes the 5, 10 and 20 Custom Gold Units date 1930.
In November 1935 China implemented a major currency reform which removed silver backing of the Chinese Yuan and outlawed the private ownership of silver.   New banknotes were introduced in 1936.  This set includes the 5, 10, 50 and 100 Yuan notes dated 1936. The notes all have similar designs. Sun Yat-sen is on the front and is in Chinese.  The back pictures the Imperial Ancestral Temple in Beijing and is in English. The notes were printed by Waterloo & Sons in London.  All the notes feature a watermark of Sun Yat Sen.  

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THE BANK OF CHINA'S CURSED BUILDING

The Bank of China is the oldest bank in China. It was founded in 1905 and was named Bank of China in 1912. It was one of the major note issuing banks for the Republic of China.  After World War I it purchased the property that had housed the German Club from the Government of China.  The Club, located on a prime spot on The Bund in Shanghai, had been confiscated as an enemy asset by China during the War.  Perhaps a departing German placed a curse on the property.  In 1930 The Bank of China decided to construct a new 34-story headquarters on the property.  It was to be the highest building in the Far East symbolizing the bank's strength and modernity. 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 currency notes to mark the occasion.  The back of the notes depicts the Bank of China building along with a partial image of the Sasson House and the Yokohama Specie Bank.  Unfortunately, the war with Japan broke out the same year, which delayed the completion and move into the building.  The Bank of China was finally able to move into the building in 1946   In 1950 communist Chinese nationalized the bank's assets in mainland China and  many of the assets held elsewhere.  The communists have continued to operate the bank.  Now days it is one of the world's largest banks and one of the few banks that still issue banknotes, issueing currency for both Macao and Hong Kong.  The front of the notes depict Sun Yat Sen and a watermark of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.  This historic set includes the 1937 Bank of China 5 Yuan and 10 Yuan notes.

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WORLD WAR II CHINESE CURRENCY

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 blue 5 Yuan,  red 10 Yuan, brown 50 Yuan and purple 100 Yuan notes were issued by the Nationalist Chinese government's Bank of China after it moved from Shanghai to Chungking to escape the Japanese.  The 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 50 Yuan and 100 Yuan notes are overprinted "Chungking" in English on the back, and in Chinese on the front.

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WWII CHINESE BANKNOTE

Reduced size image Japan attacked China on July 7, 1937.  They soon captured Shanghai, and brutally captured the capital city of Nanking (Nanjing).  Though the Japanese ruled large cities and coastal areas, they were unable to control the vast interior.  During World War II the United States and Great Britain supported China by supplying weapons and supplies.  After the Allies defeat in Burma, supplies were airlifted over the Himalayas ("the hump") from India.  Over the course of the war it is estimated that between 10 million and 25 million Chinese civilians and 4 million Chinese and Japanese military personnel died of war related violence, famine and disease.  This 100 Yuan note issued by the Central Bank of China is dated 1941.  It was printed in Pennsylvania by the Security Banknote Company.  The note features Sun Yat Sen and measures 160mm x 83mm.

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WORLD WAR II JAPANESE MILITARY CURRENCY USED IN CHINA  

Japan  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". 

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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.

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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.  

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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.

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CHINA CELEBRATES HIGH SPEED RAIL

China has the world's longest and most extensive high speed rail network, covering almost 17,000 miles (27,000 km.).  China issued this 2018 dated 27mm bi-metallic 10 Yuan to commemorate the nation's high speed rail network.  The reverse of the coin depicts a "Fuxing" high-speed train, Dashengguan Yangtze River Bridge and the Beijing South Railway Station.  The Fuxing trains run at speeds of 155 to 215 mph (250 to 350 km/h).  The obverse features the arms of the People's Republic of China and the date.

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CHINA CELEBRATES 40th ANNIVERSARY OF OPENING UP

China issued this 2018 bi-metallic 10 Yuan to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the nation's "economic reform and opening up" under Deng Xiaoping. The reforms overthrew many of the Mao era economic ideas by introducing market principles, de-collectivization of agriculture, allowing private enterprise, opening the country to foreign investments and lifting of rationing and price controls.  The reforms brought unprecedented prosperity to the formerly poor nation and greatly decreased poverty, though it also increased income inequality. The 27mm coin features the national arms on the obverse and the numeral 40 and the denomination on the reverse.  Sales were limited to just 20 coins per person.

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CHINA YEAR OF THE PIG BI-METAL 10 YUAN COIN

China recently released this 2019 dated bi-metallic 10 Yuan coin to commemorate the Year of the Pig.  The 27mm coin depicts a cute pig, 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. 

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2019 CHINESE SILVER PANDA

China continued their popular silver Panda series with this attractive 2019 issue featuring a mother Panda cuddling her cub.  Each year features a different design featuring the cute giant Panda.  The obverse features the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, a Taoist temple complex constructed in the early 1400's.  Each coin contains 30 grams of .999 silver.  The 40mm coin Brilliant Uncirculated, comes in a protective capsule and has a nominal face value of 10 Yuan.

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YEAR OF THE PIG NOTES FROM MACAU

The two banks that issue currency for Macao, the Bank of China and the Banco Nacional Ultramarino, each a released 10 Patacas banknote honoring the Year of the Pig for 2019.  Both notes have similar designs.  The front of both notes include a stylized pig, bird and flowers, a Chinese zodiac and a color-shifting gold "10".  The backs depict the headquarters building for the issuing bank, children with fireworks outside the A-Ma temple, and the stylized pig, bird and flowers.  Security features include both a security thread and watermarks.  Both notes were printed by Hong Kong Printing Ltd. The last five digits of the serial numbers will match.

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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. 

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BANKNOTES OF THE PRIVATE BANKS OF HONG KONG

Hong Kong is one of the few places left in the world where private banks are still allowed to issue currency for general circulation.( The others are Scotland and Northern Ireland).  Except for the lowest denominations, all of the currency of Hong Kong is issued by three private note-issuing banks.  The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, now known as HSBC, and the Standard Chartered Bank, have issued notes in Hong Kong since the 19th Century.  The Bank of China, a commercial bank founded in China 1912, was given the authority to issue currency in 1994.  All the currency is backed by United States dollars held in reserve.  We offer notes from all three of Hong Kong’s note issuing banks.

Also see:

COINS OF TIBET

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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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