Digital museum showcasing the collection of worldwide legends over the years! 千古不朽博物館展示多年來收藏的世界傳奇故事!
ROC,
1 Cent, ROC era 18,
Eastern Provinces
(Lowercase & Flat Character Version)
民國 一分
民國十八年
東三省造
(小寫平字版)
Item number: A391
Year: AD 1929
Material: Bronze
Size: 23.4 x 23.4 x 1.6 mm
Weight: 5.5 g
Manufactured by: Eastern Provinces Arsenal, Shenyang
Provenance:
1. Noonans 2022
2. D. L. F. Sealy Collection
This is a copper 1 cent coin minted in the 18th year of the Republic of China (AD 1929) by the Eastern Provinces Arsenal. The obverse of the coin features two concentric circles; the outer circle is composed of a chain design, while the inner circle is made up of beads. Within the beaded circle, against a wavy background, is the denomination “1 cent” written vertically.
There also exists another trial version with the denomination written in the Chinese capital character “壹”. On either side of the outer circle are eight-petal floral clusters. The top and bottom edges are inscribed with “18th Year of the Republic of China” and “Eastern Provinces”, indicating the year of issue and the minting location.
The character “三” (three) in “Eastern Provinces” can be further categorised into “flat character” and “pause character” versions due to differences in the mould.
The reverse side of the coin features plum blossoms with knotted branches on either side. At the top centre is the emblem of the Kuomintang, symbolising the political shift in the 17th year of the Republic of China (AD 1928) when Zhang Xueliang declared the “Northeast Flag Replacement.” This event marked the submission of the Fengtian clique-controlled Northeastern provinces to the authority of the Nationalist Government led by the Kuomintang.
The monetary system in the three northeastern provinces of China was highly chaotic, with a mixture of gold, silver, and copper standards, as well as various private and foreign currencies in circulation. Consequently, in the 18th year of the Republic of China (AD 1929), Zhang Xueliang directed the minting of decimal copper coins under the name of the Dong San Province Official Bank, using the existing mint in Liaoning Province. The copper coins issued in the northeastern provinces weighed only 5.55 g, less than similar denomination coins minted in other provinces.
To prevent the influx of heavier copper coins from other provinces affecting local circulation, the northeastern provinces issued special orders for military and police checkpoints to inspect and confiscate such coins. From July AD 1929 until the cessation of minting in July AD 1930, the total issuance reached approximately 18 million coins.