Item number: A471

Year: AD 1912

Material: Copper

Size: 36.9 x 36.9 x 2.2 mm

Weight: 17.85 g

Provenance:

1. Noonans 2022

2.D. L. F. Sealy Collection

This “Sichuan Copper Coin” (Denomination: Fifty Cash), features the four characters “四川銅幣” (Sichuan Copper Coin) within a central pearl circle on the obverse side, arranged vertically and horizontally. The centre is adorned with a hibiscus flower pattern. The upper edge of the pearl circle bears the characters “軍政府造” (Minted by the Military Government), and the lower edge reads “當制錢五十文” (Denomination: Fifty Cash), indicating its value.

On the reverse side, the central large circle contains the character “漢” (Han) in seal script, with numerous horizontal and vertical lines beneath it. Hence, coin collectors also refer to it as the “Han Character Copper Coin”. The text and patterns are clear and well-defined, with a suitable depth. Although the coin has green patina, it appears naturally aged, reflecting the historical era’s deposition. The inscriptions and edges, despite showing signs of wear, still retain visible details.

Notably, there are 18 small circles surrounding the “Han” character, representing the 18 provinces of the Han people within the Pass at that time. This symbolises the unity of the 18 provinces in their collective effort to “Expel the Tatars and Restore China”. Readers might also consider the historical significance of the “Iron Blood Eighteen-Star Flag”.

Additionally, the birth of this “Han” character coin is traced back to the establishment of the Great Han Military Government following the Sichuan Railway Protection Movement. This explains the presence of the “Han” character on the coin’s reverse. The coin served both military and civilian purposes at that time, being used to prepare military funds and cover military expenses, as well as stabilising prices in Sichuan.

This copper coin was not only a significant circulating currency in history but also bears the historical marks of the Xinhai Revolution, witnessing the grand history of the early Republican era and the struggles of revolutionary pioneers. It encapsulates historical, artistic, and collectible value, making it a unique revolutionary relic highly sought after in the ancient coin market and by collectors.

物件編號: A471

年代: 公元 1912 年

材質: 銅

尺寸: 36.9 x 36.9 x 2.2 mm

重量: 17.85 g

來源:

1. 諾南斯2022

2. 大衛.萊斯利.西利舊藏

此枚面額五十文的「四川銅幣」，銅幣正面中央珠圈內有「四川銅幣」四字，上下左右分列，其中心飾有芙蓉花紋。珠圈上緣書“軍政府造”四字，下緣為“當制錢五十文”字樣，標明幣值。

銅幣背面中央大圓圈內為一篆書「漢」字，「漢」字底有數十條橫直紋，因而錢幣收藏者也稱之為「漢」字銅元。文字圖案立體清晰，深淺合適，包漿雖有綠鏽，但卻老氣自然，顯現出歷史年代的沉澱，而字跡、邊齒雖也具有滄桑感，但紋路依然可見。

值得注意的是，漢字圓圈外有18個小圓圈，此代表當時關內漢族的18個省份，其寓意是18個省份集結起來，一同為「驅逐韃虜，恢復中華」而奮鬥。

讀者們也可以參考，具有同樣歷史意義的「鐵血十八星旗」。

此外，該漢字硬幣的誕生，是始於四川省發生保路運動後，大漢軍政府的建立而出現，這也解釋了為何有個「漢」字在硬幣背面。而該硬幣在當時的用途則涵蓋軍事與民生方面，在軍事方面，是籌備軍餉、應付軍事支出的錢幣，在民生方面，則是穩定四川物價的流通貨幣。

此銅幣不僅曾是歷史上重要的流通貨幣，也帶有辛亥革命後的歷史印記，見證了民國初年革命先賢奮鬥的壯闊歷史，集歷史價值、藝術價值，與收藏價值於一身，是相當別緻的革命文物，也備受古幣市場及收藏家們的青睞。