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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.

FIRST UNIFIED CURRENCY OF ANCIENT CHINA 

The Ban Liang (Pan Liang) was the first unified currency of China.  It was a cast round uniface copper coin with a square hole with the two characters "Ban Liang", which roughly translates as "half ounce"  The coin was introduced about 210BC with a weight of 12 Shu. About 175BC it was officially reduced to 4 Shu, then later to 3 Shu.  The basic design of a round, cast coin with a square hole became the standard that China continued to use for over 2000 years!  Considering its age, it is a remarkably inexpensive coin.

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THE REMARKABLE WU-CH'U COIN 

In 118BC Emperor Yuan-shou withdrew the Pan-Liang coin and introduced a new coin, called the Wu Ch'u (Wu Zhu) worth 5 Shu.  Unlike the earlier Pan Liang coins it had a raised rim to prevent filing.  The coin proved quite popular, and except for the Wang Mang interregnum, it continued to be issued in various versions for the next six centuries!  Now that is significant monetary stability.

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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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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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CHINA - HUPEH PROVINCE MACHINE STRUCK 1 CASH COIN

This small, undated, copper 1 Cash coin was struck in Hupeh Province of China in 1906.  The machine struck coins was intended to replace the cast square-holed cash that were in circulation, however its diminutive size (16.6mm) made it unpopular, resulting in most being melted down. Not only were they incoveniently small and easily lost, Chinese could see they contained substantaially less metal than the traditional square-holed cash coin.   It was struck under the authority of Emperor Kuang-hsu (Guangxu). One side features the Chinese imperial dragon and legends in English.  The other side has legends in Chinese. The coin shows virtually no wear, though tends to have minor mint errors and verdigris spots.

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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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JAPANESE MILITARY CURRENCY FOR 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.  This 5 Yen note used a modified version of the homeland 5 Yen note.  The note lacked the text that translated as "Bank of Japan Convertible Silver Note".  Instead it had a bright red 4 character overprint that translates as "Military Note".

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RARE CHINESE BIRD AND BUTTERFLY COINS

These Chinese bronze 5 Yuan coins depict native endangered wildlife.  The 1997 coin depicts a Red-crowned Crane. In Chinese mythology they carry immortals between heaven and earth. The birds mate for life, which can range from 30 to 50 years.  The birds are about 5 feet (150cm) tall.   The 1998 coin features a Brown-eared Pheasant (Crossoptilon mantchuricum).  The bird is about 39 inches (100cm) tall and is endemic to the mountain forests of north-eastern China.  The 1999 coin depicts a Swallowtail Butterfly.  The bronze coins are 32mm in diameter.  The obverses  include the date and the national emblem of China which features the entrance gate to the Forbidden City,

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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.

ALSO SEE:  
FRANCE 1/4 EURO 2022 YEAR OF THE TIGER

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CHINA CELEBRATES YEAR OF THE RABBIT

China commemorated the Year of the rabbit with this attractive 27mm bi-metallic 2023 dated 10 Yuan coin. The reverse depicts a cute artistic paper-cutting of a rabbit, 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.   Also available are some previous issues in this series.

ALSO SEE:
2023 AUSTRALIA PERTH MINT YEAR OF THE RABBIT 1 TROY OUNCE SILVER DOLLAR

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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, denomination 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, the denomination and 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.   

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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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CHINA 2022 OLYMPIC BANKNOTES  

China released two circulating vertical 20 Yuan banknotes to commemorate the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.  A polymer note depicts a pair of figure skaters on one side and a skating pavilion on the other.  A paper note depicts a free style skier on the front.  The unusual Olympic ski jump ramp and the Great Wall of China are on the back.  Both notes incorporate the emblems of the Beijing Winter Olympics the People's Republic of China on the front.

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MACAU BI-METALLIC COIN DEPICTS HISTORIC CHURCH

This bi-metallic 1997 Macau 10 Pataca coin was one of the last coins issued for Macao while it was under Portuguese rule.  China took control of Macau in 1999. At the top of the obverse is a small bat.  In Chinese lore bats bring the five blessings: life, wealth, health, virtue and death after achieving one's destiny.  The reverse pictures St. Dominic's Church.  The church was built in 1587 by Spanish missionaries and reconstructed in the early 17th century.  The church closed down in 1834.  In 1997 it was renovated, reopened and a museum added alongside the church.

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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 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 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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SUN AND MOON TIBETAN COINS

These copper 5 Sho coins were some of the last coins minted by Tibet before they were invaded by China.  The coin features a Snow Lion standing in front of the mountains on one side and inscriptions on the other.   The coin comes in two major varieties.  The first, dating 1947 to 1949 features two suns, one on either side of the tallest mountain.  The second, dating 1950 to 1953 shows a moon and the sun next to the mountain.  Both are a reminder of this fabled and isolated nation located high in the Himalayas.

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Joel Anderson
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USA

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Email: orders@joelscoins.com

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