© Baldwins of St James Ltd
© Baldwins of St James Ltd
1 Tael Pattern ND
1868 year| Silver | 37.3 g | 41 mm |
| Issuer | Empire of China |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Qing dynasty › Tongzhi (同治帝) (1861-1875) |
| Type | Pattern |
| Year | 1868 |
| Value | 1 Tael |
| Currency | Kwanping Tael (1868) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 37.3 g |
| Diameter | 41 mm |
| Thickness | 2.8 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#243346 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 92% |
Reverse
Nine Chinese ideograms read from the inside: top to bottom, right to left, then outside: top to bottom, right to left.
Script: Chinese (traditional, regular script)
Lettering:
中
銀
寶平壹關通
兩
外
Translation:
Yin Yi Liang / Kwan Ping / Zhong Wei Tong Bao
Silver 1 Tael / Kwanping / Chinese-foreign currency
Comment
Not much was known about this series for a very long time, from the dates these were struck to the mints that struck them. The Berlin Mint, the Royal Mint, and the Osaka Mint had all been proposed, but it is now certain these come from the Royal Mint in London. The original dies were proposed in 1867, with the circulating coins meant to be struck at the Hong Kong Mint; however, that mint closed in 1868, and production never took place.These coins are thought to be an attempt at a national currency; however, it is theorized that these could have been intended to be used in trade with Korea, based on the design.
Interesting fact
The Pattern 1 Tael coin was designed by a French engraver named Charles Fournier, who was commissioned by the Chinese government to create a new currency for the country. Fournier's design featured a combination of traditional Chinese symbols, such as the dragon and the phoenix, with Western-style numismatic elements, such as the wreath and the crown. This blending of East and West was intended to symbolize the modernization and opening up of China to the world.
