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 25th year
Zhejiang Province
(Wei Stelae Version)
清
光緒元寶
庫平七分二釐
光緒二十五年
浙江省造
(魏碑版)
Item number: A1625
Year: AD 1899
Material: Silver
Size: 18.8 x 18.8 x 0.6 mm
Weight: 2.35 g
Manufactured by: Zhejiang Silver Coin Bureau
Provenance: Da Chen Stamps and Coins Collection 2014
This is a “Guangxu Yuanbao” coin minted in the 25th year of Guangxu (AD 1899) by the Zhejiang Silver Coin Bureau, with a denomination of 7.2 candareens. Due to its age, the coin’s surface has undergone significant wear, but its details can still be discerned with some effort.
The obverse of the coin features a coiled dragon at the centre, depicted spewing a fireball. The upper edge bears the minting location in Wade-Giles Romanisation as “CHEH-KIANG PROVINCE,” while the lower edge indicates the denomination as “7.2 CANDAREENS.”
The reverse of the coin features two beaded circles. At the centre, the inscription “光緒元寶” (Guangxu Yuanbao) is displayed in both Chinese and Manchu script, with the Chinese characters written in the Wei stelae script style by the renowned Zhejiang calligrapher Tao Junxuan. The outer rim is adorned with four-petalled floral motifs as separators on the left and right sides. The upper edge bears the Chinese inscription “浙江省造” (Minted in Zhejiang Province), while the lower edge indicates the denomination as “庫平七分二釐” (Kuping 7.2 Candareens).
Zhejiang, located along China’s southeastern coast, had long been a region where foreign silver coins circulated extensively. However, it was not until the 25th year of the Guangxu reign (AD 1899) that the first Western-style mint in Zhejiang, the “Zhejiang Silver Coin Bureau,” was established under the initiative of Provincial Governor Liao Shoufeng, who oversaw the procurement of minting machinery from Germany.