© Heritage Auctions
© Heritage Auctions
5 Fen - Guangxu Pattern; silver ND
1897 year| Silver | - | 16 mm |
| Issuer | Szechuan Province (Chinese provinces) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Guangxu (1875-1908) |
| Type | Pattern |
| Year | 1897 |
| Value | 5 Fen (0.05) |
| Currency | Yuan (1897-1949) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Diameter | 16 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#297029 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Dragon with pearl at centre surrounded by English legend.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
SZECHUEN PROVINCE
3.6 CANDAREENS
Engraver: Charles Edward Barber
Edge
Reeded.
Comment
In 1896, the Imperial Government of China was wanting to modernize Chengtu's mint in Szechuan. Both the British Royal Mint and the American Trading Company were both commissioned to make patterns, with those from America being the accepted designs.These patterns were struck by the Ferracute Machine Company (who, while was not necessarily a mint, was a supplier of minting machinery) in 1897, with patterns being struck in both silver and brass. After their initial presentation, the company shipped the patterns and minting machinery to Chengtu.
When everything arrived at Chengtu thirteen months later, the dies were badly rusted due to water damage. Some examples were struck in 1898, but then minting was delayed until 1901, when Chinese engravers had remade the dies (although those new dies were a much lesser quality than the originals, sometimes even displaying errors in the English legend).
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Pattern 5 Fen - Guangxu (Pattern; silver) ND (1897) from Szechuan Province (Chinese provinces) made of Silver is that it is a rare and highly sought-after coin among collectors due to its historical significance and limited mintage.
