One of my boys is looking at Ancient China at school, so Ive been putting together a few basic examples of Chinese coinage through the millennia. Thankfully I lived in China for over a decade so have a few el-cheapo examples of coins of different dynasties. I will post a history at some point soon! But for now:
Im working on gathering a few dragons (Chinese silver dollars and their smaller denominations) from around 1900. I think these are so pretty as a coin, and mark a fascinating time in history, read on. Im still looking for a 50c (3 Mace and 6 Candareens) or other provinces or better samples too if anyone has.
$1:
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/11379/dragons-1.jpg) (http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/11379/dragons-2.jpg)
50c missing
20c:
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/11379/dragons-3.jpg)
10c:
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/11379/dragons-5.jpg)
5c:
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/11379/dragons-7.jpg)
The coins were minted in silver, in denominations of 7 mace and 2 candareens ($1), 3 mace and 6 candareens (50c), 1 mace and 4.4 candareens (20c), 7.2 candareens (10c), and 3.6 candareens (5c).
The coins were minted in various provinces of China between 1890-1908, during the last years of the Qing Dynasty. China became a republic shortly after in 1912, marking the end of 2 millennia of imperial rule. These coins saw the reign of Emperor Guangxu who was placed on the throne in 1875 by his Aunt and mother of the previous emperor, Empress Dowager Cixi. They also saw Empress Dowager Cixi place Emperor Guangxu under house arrest in 1898, and effectively rule in his place till her death (and perhaps not coincidentally, his death one day before from arsenic poisoning) in 1908. These were tumultuous years for China, and several rebellions (including the notorious Boxer Rebellion of 1899-1901) were put down, until the Xinhai Revolution saw the final overthrow of the Qing Dynasty and the abdication of Puyi (the "Last Emperor") in 1912, and the installation of Sun Yat-sen of the Kuomintang as provisional president of the Republic of China.
As best as I can determine, in 1902 the 1 mace and 4.4 candareens (20c) coin was equivalent to about one day's wage in urban Beijing, and the 7.2 candareens (10c) was worth about one day's wage in rural Beijing.
The axeman :-)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/China-1900-Coin-50-Cents-3-Mace-6-Candareens-Peking-Mint-8615-/171896242767?hash=item2805d0824f
Quote from: 'Australian coin' pid='78201' dateline='1440407171'http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/China-1900-Coin-50-Cents-3-Mace-6-Candareens-Peking-Mint-8615-/171896242767?hash=item2805d0824f
Ive been checking ebay and Im thinking fake on that one for a number of reasons, but thanks!