Duan Qirui Acting Presidency Commentative Coin

段祺瑞執政紀念幣

Item number: A304

Year: AD 1924

Material: Silver

Manufactured by: Tianjin Mint

Provenance: Stack’s Bowers 2024

In October of the 13th year of the Republic of China (AD 1924), Feng Yuxiang, a warlord associated with the Northwest Army faction, launched the “Beijing Coup”, overthrowing the previously dominant Beiyang government led by Cao Kun, and subsequently expelling the former Qing Emperor Puyi from the Forbidden City. Following this reshuffling of power in Beijing, Duan Qirui, the leader of the Anhui Clique who had previously been defeated and in seclusion in Tianjin since the 9th year of the Republic of China (AD 1920) during the Zhili-Anhui War, emerged as an acceptable leader to various factions. Therefore, on November 24th, Duan Qirui went to Beijing to declare his assumption of the position of “Interim President” of the Provisional Government of the Republic of China.

This silver commemorative coin was indeed minted to commemorate Duan Qirui’s return to power. It was designed and produced by the Tianjin Mint, responsible for minting currency for the Beiyang government, and was presented to guests attending Duan Qirui’s inauguration ceremony.

On the obverse side of the coin is a likeness of Duan Qirui in Western attire, with the inscription “Commemorative Coin of the Republic of China’s Administration” in regular script above. Considering the historical context provided earlier, it is notable that the legend omits the word “interim,” which might suggest a deliberate effort by Duan Qirui to emphasise his authority. The reverse side features a pair of tied sheaves of rice, with the Chinese characters for “peace” in seal script vertically in the centre.

This commentative coin is embedded in a silver dish crafted by the renowned Shanghai silversmith Zee Sung, with the manufacturing period estimated to fall roughly between AD 1927 and AD 1932.

Duan Qirui, a military figure turned politician, established his power base known as the “Anhui Clique” from his hometown Anhui. He held sway over the Beiyang government from AD 1913 to AD 1920. Despite facing accusations of collaboration with Japan and being labelled as a warlord and traitor, he also earned the reputation of “Saviour of the Republic” for three significant interventions.

The first occurred during the Xinhai Revolution when, as a frontline commander facing revolutionary forces, he telegraphed his superior Yuan Shikai, encouraging peaceful negotiations between the Qing court and the revolutionary party.

The second instance took place in the fourth year of the Republic (AD 1915), when Yuan Shikai attempted to proclaim himself emperor. Duan Qirui dissuaded him on five occasions and, following Yuan’s failed attempt and subsequent death, assisted President Li Yuanhong in restoring the parliament and the Provisional Constitution.

The third instance took place in the sixth year of the Republic (AD 1917), when he foiled Zhang Xun’s plot to reinstall the deposed Qing Emperor Puyi and restore the monarchy.

物件編號: A304

年代: 公元 1924 年

材質:

製造地: 天津造幣廠

來源: SBP錢幣拍賣 2024

民國13年(公元1924年)的10月,西北軍派系的馮玉祥發動「甲子兵變」,推翻原先北洋政府以曹錕為首的直系勢力,順便將前清廢帝溥儀驅離出紫禁城。北京的政局經過洗牌後,早先於民國9年(公元1920年)直皖戰爭中戰敗,下野隱居於天津的皖系領袖段祺瑞,成為各方勢力能接受的領導人物。因此段祺瑞在11月24日赴北京宣示擔任中華民國臨時政府的「臨時執政」。

該銀製紀念幣正是為紀念此次段祺瑞的復出,由負責鑄造北洋中央政府貨幣的天津造幣廠設計生產,贈與參加段祺瑞就職典禮的嘉賓。錢幣正面為段祺瑞的西裝便像,上方以楷書鐫刻銘文「中華民國執政紀念幣」。結合前述的歷史背景,能發現錢幣銘文省略「臨時」兩字,或許是段祺瑞有意彰顯個人聲勢的小巧思。背面則有一對打結的嘉禾,中央是直豎的篆書「和平」兩字。

這枚紀念幣被鑲嵌在上海著名銀匠時新打造的銀盤器皿上,其鑄造時間大致落在公元1927至1932年之間。

段祺瑞作為武人起家的政治人物,其勢力以家鄉安徽為名稱作「皖系」,在公元1913至1920年間主持北洋政府。雖然他與日本的親密合作和軍人身分,遭致賣國和軍閥的罵名,卻同時有「三造共和」的美名。第一次是辛亥革命時作為前線指揮官跟革命軍對峙之際,向上司袁世凱通電鼓勵清廷和革命黨和平談判。第二次則是民國4年(公元1915年),袁世凱意欲稱帝時五度勸阻,並且在袁世凱稱帝失敗亡故後,協助大總統黎元洪恢復國會和《臨時約法》。第三次則是民國6年(公元1917年),粉碎張勳意圖擁戴前清廢帝溥儀復辟的陰謀。

類似/相同物件 請看:

中國 蘇州灣博物館 Suzhou Bay Museum

https://www.wujmuseum.com/wjcms/info/526

PCGS官網

https://www.pcgsasia.com/valueview/images?specNo=116591

更多相關訊息請參考:

張惠信,《中國貨幣史話目錄》(中和: 編著者,1982)

林國明 編,《中國近代機制金銀幣目錄》(上海:上海科學技術出版社,2021)

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