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!
Qing Dynasty, Guangxu Yuanbao,
7.2 Candareens, Guangxu 24th year,
Jilin Arsenal (Tu Fou Version)
清 光緒元寶
庫平七分二釐 光緒二十四年
吉林機器局造 (土缶版)
Item number: A388-1
Year: AD 1898
Material: Silver
Size: 18.2 x 18.2 x 1.0 mm
Weight: 2.6 g
Manufactured by: Jilin, Jilin Arsenal
Provenance:
1. Noonans 2022
2. D. L. F. Sealy Collection
This is a silver Guangxu Yuanbao coin minted by the Jilin Arsenal in the 24th year of the Guangxu Emperor’s reign (AD 1898), with a denomination of 7.2 Candareens. On the obverse side of the coin is a five-clawed dragon exhaling flames, with the formal national name “Da Qing Guo” (Great Qing State) inscribed in Manchu script on both sides. Serving as the boundary line in Manchu script, the upper edge is engraved with the English inscription “KIRIN PROVINCE”, while the lower edge features the denomination “CANDARINS.72” enclosed by four-petal flowers on each side. Due to limited pressure during the stamping process, the English ending “E” for Jilin Province is presented in a square pattern.
The reverse side of the coin features a pearl border, with the central area displaying the four characters “Guangxu Yuanbao” surrounding a basin with a perennial flower vase. On the outer edge, dividing the sides, are four-petal flowers. The upper edge is inscribed with “Made by Jilin Province”, while the lower edge displays the complete denomination “7.2 Candareens”. In the 24th year of Guangxu’s reign (AD 1898), the Guangxu Yuanbao coins minted by the Jilin Province were produced in two varieties based on the radical differences of the characters “吉” and “寶” (Ji and Bao) – the “Tu Fou Version” and the “Shi Er Version”. This particular coin belongs to the “Tu Fou Version.”
Milling method in Jilin began with the establishment of the “Jilin Arsenal” in the 10th year of Guangxu (AD 1884). By the 22nd year of Guangxu (AD 1896), the Jilin Arsenal started minting the Guangxu Yuanbao. It was not until the 25th year of Guangxu (AD 1899) that the Guangxu Yuanbao minted in Jilin began to include the zodiac year on the reverse side.