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Empire of Manchukuo
5 Cents Magnesium Oxide Coin
Kangde 12th era
滿洲帝國
五分鎂幣 康德十二年
Item number: A409
Year: AD 1945
Material: Magnesium Oxide
Size: 19.0 x 19.0 x 1.8 mm
Weight: 1.05 g
Provenance:
1. Noonans 2022
2. D. L. F. Sealy Collection
In the final years of World War II, specifically in the 12th year of the Kangde era (AD 1945), Manchukuo faced increasing metal shortages. To conserve resources, the government issued a five cents coin made from magnesium oxide. The coin is predominantly red in colour.
The coin’s obverse is encircled by a bead pattern along the edge. At the centre, there is a symmetrical cloud motif flanking an octagonal design, with the denomination “five cents” on either side. The reverse of the coin features the denomination “5” in Arabic numerals at the centre. Above and below the denomination, the inscriptions read “Empire of Manchukuo” and “12th year of Kangde”, indicating the country’s name and the year of issue, respectively. Unfortunately, due to the passage of time, the text and intricate designs on both sides of the coin have become significantly worn and are no longer clearly discernible.
In AD 1931, the Japanese Kwantung Army initiated the Mukden Incident, seizing control of Northeast China and subsequently establishing the puppet state of Manchukuo under the former Qing emperor Puyi. In AD 1934, Japan further tightened its grip on Manchukuo’s economy by founding the Central Bank of Manchou, which was tasked with issuing and minting the currency circulating within the puppet state.
In February AD 1945, the Central Bank of Manchou issued Document No. 21, which approved the recall of aluminium coins to be repurposed as wartime metal. They opted to mint lower-denomination coins, specifically one cent and five cents, using the more affordable magnesium. These coins were put into circulation on March 15, AD 1945, and remained in use until the collapse of Manchukuo on August 18, AD 1945.