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 Mace 2 Candareens,
Guangxu 27th year, Jilin Arsenal
(Stamp Version)
清
光緒元寶 庫平七錢二分
光緒二十七年 吉林機器局造
(戳記版)
Item number: A1207
Year: AD 1901
Material: Silver
Manufactured by: Jilin Arsenal, Jilin
Provenance: Fuchin Coin 2024
This is a “Guangxu Yuanbao” silver coin minted in the 27th year of Guangxu (AD 1901), during the Xinchou year, by the Jilin Arsenal, with a denomination of 7 Mace 2 Candareens. The obverse of the coin depicts a five-clawed coiled dragon exhaling flames.
On both sides of the obverse, the formal name of the country, “Da Qing Guo” (Great Qing State), is written in Manchu script, serving as a divider. At the upper edge, “KIRIN. PROVINCE” is inscribed in English, while at the lower edge, the simplified denomination “7 CAINDARINS 2” is displayed in English. There are three variations in the English spelling of “candareens” used by Jilin Province: “CANDAREENS,” “CANDARINS,” and “CAINDARINS.”
On the reverse side of the coin, there is a beaded border, with the central motif featuring the four characters “Guangxu Yuanbao” surrounding a Taiji symbol. The year of the zodiac, “Xinchou”, is inscribed on the sides of the beaded circle. “Made in Jilin Province” is inscribed at the top edge, and the full denomination “Kuping 7 Mace 2 Candareens” is at the bottom edge.
The coin bears multiple distinct stamps, some of which are Chinese characters. On the obverse, there are stamps such as “鹵,” while the reverse shows the character “弓” and “言.” However, the specific meanings or the business entities these stamps refer to remain unclear. Further research into the historical context of these stamps could help identify their significance or the firms associated with them.
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 the Guangxu Emperor’s reign (AD 1899) that the Jilin Mint began to add the cyclical characters of the Chinese zodiac to the reverse side, becoming a prominent feature of the coins in the province.