Fukien 10 Cents

Fukien is a province located on the southeastern coast of China. Fukien currency played a very important role in the history of Chinese numismatics. From the Qing Dynasty down towards the beginning of the Republic, Fukien historical currency is well known for its variety in development and form. Many valuable specimens were found during the early decades of the twenty century, such as the K'ang Hsi 12-Branches birthday-cash, Chang Chow military silver coins, Hsien Feng big cash with weighing on rim and the Fukien silver dollar etc. I have chosen 2 Fukien silver coins from my collection and posted here. They are not rare coins, but both are in a EF to AU condition with the spectacular colored toning.


Marks of Rareness of the Collected Currencies
Extremely Rare A ~ Very Rare B ~ Rare C ~ Not So Many D ~ Common E

ObverseReverseDescription
No. 176
Diam.
18 mm
Wt. 2.7 g.
Mint Evolution & PeculiarityRareness D
At top of the obverse, this siver coin denoted with 5 Chinese characters mean 'Made (by) The Fukien Official Bureau', while all other silver coins stated 'Made (by) such and such PROVINCE'. Within the beaded circle, both Chinese and Manchu characters mean "Currency of the Kuang-Hsu period". Below, in Chinese, Treasury Weight 7.2 candareens. Small rosettes at sides. On the reverse is the traditional dragon pattern with 7 flames on the fireball. This coin was minted between 1902 to 1908 in Fukien Silver Coin Bureau (or known as Southern Bureau established in 1898) in 4 different denominations-7 mace and 2 candareens, 1 mace and 4.4 candareens, 7.2 candareens, and 3.6 candareens. [Please be noted that the Fuping 7 mace and 2 candareens coin is very rare, as Fukien people liked to use small silver coins at that time.]
ObverseReverseDescription
No. 177
Diam.
18 mm
Wt. 2.7 g.
Mint Evolution & PeculiarityRareness D
This silver coin was minted in Fukien Province between 1894 to 1900, in 3 different denominations-1 mace and 4.4 candareens, 7.2 candareens, and 3.6 candareens. During that period, there was only Fukien Machinery Bureau or first known as West Branch of Fukien Machinery Bureau existed in Fukien Province. [established in 1890 later known as Copper Branch of Fukien Machinery Bureau]. On the center of the obverse are 4 Chinese and 4 Manchu characters mean "Currency of the Kuang-Hsu period" inside beaded circle in centre: in the outer circle, Chinese characters (made in Fukien Province) above, (6 Chinese characters mean Treasury Weight 7.2 candareens) below; small rosettes right and left.
On the reverse is the symbol of the Qing royal family, the dragon. Around the dragon are the words in English "FOO-KIEN PROVINCE" at the head of the dragon and "7.2 CANDAREENS" at the foot of the dragon. The dragon pattern is different from the above coin. This pattern actually was a new design with 4 flames on the fireball, and several editions owing to variations in the designs of the dragon.

More about Fukien Machinery Coinage or More about Fukien Copper Cash and or

More about Fukien Copper Coin



    Bibliography

  1. 孫仲匯:簡明錢幣辭典 (Jianming Qianbicidian), 1991, ISBN 7-5325-0790-4
  2. A History of Chinese Currency (16th Century BC - 20th Century AD), 1983 Jointly Published by Xinhua (New China) Publishing House N.C.N. Limited M.A.O. Management Group Ltd. ISBN 962 7094 01 3
  3. Pang Hsin Wei:中國貨幣史,上海人民出版社。(The Currency History of China.), 1988. ISBN7-208-00196-0/K.47
  4. Chester L. Krause and Clifford Mishler Colin R. Bruce II. : Standard catalog of World Coins 1991, 18th edition



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