© Heritage Auctions
© Heritage Auctions
10 Sb Fen
20 (1931) year| Other (Antimony) | 5.02 g | 20 mm |
| Issuer | Kweichow Province (Chinese provinces) |
|---|---|
| Period | Province of the Republic of China (1912-1949) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 20 (1931) |
| Calendar | Chinese republican |
| Value | 10 Sb Fen = ¼ Fen (0.0025) |
| Currency | Yuan (1888-1949) |
| Composition | Other (Antimony) |
| Weight | 5.02 g |
| Diameter | 20 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#42344 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 92% |
Reverse
Sun with twelve rays.
Comment
This is possibly the world's only antimony coin that was meant for general circulation.Made at the Kueiyang Arsenal (貴陽修槍廠), these pieces were originally made in 1931, but were only put into circulation in 1933. While these pieces have a denomination of 10 Fen, the official exchange between one silver Yuan and one antimony coin was 1:400, meaning the actual value of an antimony fen was 0.25 Fen.
Due to how soft antimony is, and how quickly these coins wore down, they were not popular amongst the citizens.
Interesting fact
The 10 Sb Fen 20 (1931) coin from Kweichow Province is interesting because it was made of antimony, a metal that is not commonly used in coin production. Antimony is a brittle, blue-white metalloid that is found in small amounts in the earth's crust. It is often used in alloys with other metals to improve their properties, but it is not typically used as a primary material for coins. The use of antimony in this coin makes it a unique and interesting piece for collectors.