This week’s we offer another highlight from the Q.
David Bowers/R.B. White Collection of Chinese Copper Coins to be offered in our
April 2-4, 2018 Hong Kong auction as a stand along catalog. This extremely rare
and desirable Shantung pattern 20 Cash is dated the twenty-second year of the
Republic of China. It displays a
familiar design with the crossed flags of the Republic of China (right) and the
Kuomintang (left) with tassels hanging between, Chinese inscription above and
below from right to left as “中華民國廿二年”
(Zhong hua ming guo nian er nian) (Republic of China twenty-second year (1933))
and “山東省造” (Shan dong sheng zao) (Made in Shandong province).
The reverse displays a more refined style smaller wreath with central Chinese
inscription that reads as “貳拾文” (er
shi wen) (twenty wen (cash)), encircled by a beaded border then flanked by
five-petaled rosettes at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock, Chinese inscription “銅元” (Tong yuan) (Copper Dollar) above and English
inscription “Twenty Cash” below. The
design features are simple yet elegant.
Scouring the
internet and reference books reveals little information about these issues. No
major events seemed to take place during or around their time of manufacture other
than Governor Han Fuju unifying Shantung province in autumn of 1932 after
defeating Liu Zhennian the “King of Eastern Shandong.” After his triumph and the unification,
Governor Han Fuju cracked down on narcotics trafficking and banditry virtually
wiping them out under his watch. He was a strict disciplinarian, but also very
generous making significant advancements to his province by donating to schools
and hospitals and making civic improvements. It is suspected that after the
onset of the Second Sino-Japanese war, Governor Han Fuju conspired with the
Japanese to protect his province and his power.
When he discovered that the Japanese had crossed the Yellow River he
abandoned his post. He was later arrested, tried and used by Chiang Kai-shek as
an example of what comes from disobeying a direct order. It is said that he was executed by General Hu
Zongnan with a single gunshot to the back of the head.
Whatever the
reason for their manufacture one thing is for certain, more research is needed
to solve this numismatic mystery.
We are no longer accepting consignments for our April
Hong Kong auction. We are however taking consignments of world and ancient
coins and world paper money for our May Collectors Choice Online (CCO), our
August 2018 Hong Kong, August 2018 American Numismatic Association (ANA),
October 2018 Collectors Choice Online (CCO) and our 2019 New York International
Numismatic Convention (NYINC) auctions. If you are interested in consigning
your coins and paper currency (whether a whole collection or a single rarity)
be sure to contact one of our consignment directors.
