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
Tang Jiyao Protector of the Republic Commemorative Coin
3 Mace 6 Candareens
民國
軍務院撫軍長唐擁護共和紀念幣
庫平三錢六分
Item number: A1569
Year: AD 1917
Material: Silver
Size: 31.5 x 31.5 mm
Manufactured by: Yunnan Mint
Provenance: Da Chen Stamps and Coins Collection 2014
This is a commemorative silver coin minted in the 6th year of the Republic of China (AD 1917) by the Yunnan Mint. It was issued to commemorate Tang Jiyao, the leader of the Yunnan military clique, and his role in organising the “National Protection Army” in opposition to Yuan Shikai’s attempt to restore the monarchy.
The obverse of the coin features two beaded circles. At the centre is a frontal portrait of Tang Jiyao in military attire, with his face slightly turned to the left. The lower outer edge is adorned with a decorative motif of tied ears of grain, while the upper half bears the inscription of Tang Jiyao’s title during the National Protection War: “Commander-in-Chief of the Military Affairs Bureau, Tang” (軍務院撫軍長唐).
The reverse of the coin also features two beaded circles. At the centre, a pair of crossed flags is depicted—one being the Five-Coloured Flag and the other the Iron-Blood Eighteen-Star Flag, both adorned with flag tassells. Above the flags, a five-pointed star serves as a decorative element. On the outer edge, five-pointed stars are positioned on both the left and right sides as separators. The upper portion bears the inscription “Commemoration of the Protector of the Republic” (擁護共和紀念), while the lower portion displays the coin’s denomination: “Kuping 3 Mace 6 Candareens” (庫平三錢六分).
Tang Jiyao was a prominent political figure in Yunnan during the late Qing and early Republican periods. In December of the 4th year of the Republic (AD 1915), as Yuan Shikai, the dominant force in the Beiyang government, sought to restore the monarchy, Tang Jiyao returned to his native Yunnan, declared independence, and opposed Yuan’s claim to the throne. He organised the National Protection Army in Yunnan and launched the National Protection War, which gained support from multiple provinces and ultimately forced Yuan Shikai to abandon his imperial ambitions.
From the 5th year of the Republic (AD 1916) onward, Tang Jiyao became the de facto ruler of Yunnan and exerted significant influence over the political landscape of southern China during the early Republican period. His rule continued until the 16th year of the Republic (AD 1927), when he was overthrown in a military coup by his subordinates and subsequently imprisoned until his death.