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Republic of China
70th Anniversary Commemorative Gold Medallion
中華民國
建國七十周年紀念金章
Item number: A1531
Year: AD 1981
Material: Gold
Size: 20.9 x 20.9 x 1.3 mm
Weight: 7.7 g
Manufactured by: Central Mint (Taiwan)
Provenance: Da Chen Stamps and Coins Collection 2014
This is a commemorative gold medallion issued on October 8, AD 1981 (the 70th year of the Republic of China) by the Central Mint of Taiwan to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China.
The obverse side of the commemorative medallion is encircled by a beaded border, with the central design featuring a frontal portrait of the late President Chiang Kai-shek. This same portrait of Chiang Kai-shek was also used on the 10 New Taiwan Dollar coins issued for circulation in Taiwan from AD 1981 to AD 2011.
The upper edge of the portrait on the commemorative gold medal is inscribed with the Chinese characters “中華民國建國七十年” (Republic of China 70th Anniversary).
The reverse side of the commemorative medallion also features a beaded border, with an additional design element of twelve Kui dragon patterns, which were used in the design of Taiwan’s 5 New Taiwan Dollar coin. At the centre of the reverse is the national flag of the Republic of China, with the plum blossom, the national flower, serving as the background.
Chiang Kai-shek, the first president of the Republic of China after the government retreated to Taiwan, passed away in AD 1975 (Republic of China year 64). By AD 1981, when Taiwan celebrated its 70th National Day, the leadership had passed to Chiang Kai-shek’s son, Chiang Ching-kuo. At that time, the Republic of China in Taiwan faced external pressures such as the severing of diplomatic relations with the United States and the People’s Republic of China’s proposals for peaceful reunification. In response, Chiang Ching-kuo promoted the Three Principles of the People to counter the communist threat and focused on the “Ten Major Construction Projects” to improve the national economy and living standards.
However, during the 1980s, Taiwan’s internal democratic movement began to challenge the constraints of martial law. This culminated in the lifting of martial law in AD 1987 (Republic of China year 76), marking a new phase in Taiwan’s democratisation process.