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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.

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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 5 Cash coin (some references call it a 10 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.   They are attractive coins from a cultured, but inept, Emperor of China.

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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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OLD BANKNOTES OF THE CENTRAL BANK OF CHINA

This three-note set includes the orange 1 Yuan, green 5 Yuan and blue 10 Yuan notes of the Central Bank China dated 1936. The notes were issued as part of a major monetary reform which removed the peg between silver and the Chinese Yuan. The notes are inscribed "National Currency" to distinguish them from the many provincial and private issues that had been in circulation. The notes were printed in London by Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd..  All three have similar designs.  The front is in Chinese and depicts Sun Yat Sen.  The back is in English and depicts trees and the gate to the Cemetery of Confucius in Qufu, Shandong Province.  The notes have a watermark of Sun Yat Sen.

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HISTORIC BANK OF CHINA CURRENCY

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.  It currently issues banknotes for both Hong Kong and Macao. It is one of the only banks in the world to issue currency for three different realms.  

THE BANK OF CHINA'S CURSED BUILDING

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.

WORLD WAR II NOTES OF THE BANK OF CHINA

In 1937 Japan invaded China,  forcing the Chinese government and The Bank of China to retreat to the remote city of Chungking (now Chongqing). From there the Bank of China issued this blue 5 Yuan and  red 10 Yuan note  Sun Yat Sen is on the front and the Temple of Heaven is on the back of all the notes.  The notes were printed by the American Bank Note Company in New York. The notes were among the last released by the Bank of China for the Republic of China, which ceased to issue notes for China in 1942.

BANK OF CHINA CURRENCY FOR HONG KONG AND MACAU

After World War II most of the Bank of China was nationalized by the People's Republic of China, which operates it as a government owned commercial bank. Ahead of China's takeover of Hong Kong and Macau, China insisted that the Bank of China be allowed to issue banknotes for both territories. It is one of three banks that issues currency for Hong Kong and one of two banks issuing currency for Macau. This 2015 Bank of China 20 Dollar note for Hong Kong note depicts Bauhinia flowers and the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong on the front.  The distinctive building was designed by I. M. Pei and was the tallest building in Hong Kong when it opened in 1990.  The back of the note portrays the shore of Repulse Bay.  The note includes braille to assist the blind and many security devices including, microprinting, watermark, security thread, SPARK (an optically variable magnetic ink) and iridescent ink.  The Bank of China Macau 10 Pataca note dated 2008 features the A-Ma temple on the front.  Built in 1488, the temple is one of the oldest in Macau and thought to be the settlement's namesake. The back depicts the Bank of China Building in Macau.  It is the second highest building in Macau.  The bank's name is in Portuguese "Banco da China"

Also see:

MACAO - BANK OF CHINA YEAR OF THE PIG BANKNOTE

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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 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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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 CALLIGRAPHY

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.

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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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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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NEW 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 latent images “¥” 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 RAT WITH BI-METAL 10 YUAN

China recently released this 2020 dated bi-metallic 10 Yuan coin to commemorate the Year of the Rat.  The 27mm coin depicts a cute mouse, a palace lantern, and grapes on the obverse. The reverse features the denomination surrounded by an intricate etched design. The large number 10 contains latent images, which change as the coin is moved.


Also see:
AUSTRALIA 2020 YEAR OF THE MOUSE SILVER DOLLAR, 1 troy ounce .9999 silver

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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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Also see:

COINS OF TIBET

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All items are guaranteed to be genuine, unless clearly indicated otherwise.
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Joel Anderson
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Phone: 1 805 489 8045 | Fax: 1 805 299 1818
Email: orders@joelscoins.com

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