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Qing Dynasty, Great Qing Copper Coin,
10 Cash, Hupeh Province
(Bing Wu & Double Crested Dragon Version)
清 大清銅幣
十文 戶部中心鄂
(丙午&雙冠龍版)
Item number: A1596
Year: AD 1906
Material: Copper
Size: 28.7 x 27.8 x 1.2 mm
Weight: 6.4 g
Manufactured by: Hubei Copper Coin Bureau, Hupeh
Provenance: Da Chen Stamps and Coins Collection 2014
The Great Qing Copper Coin was a machine-struck copper coin that circulated during the late Qing Dynasty. Due to the chaotic state of circulation of the Guangxu Yuan Pao, the Qing government, in the 31st year of the Guangxu reign (AD 1905), undertook measures to reorganize the currency system. As part of this initiative, the minting of the Great Qing Copper Coin was mandated to replace the Guangxu Yuan Pao. The government established specifications for the design, composition, and weight, aiming for a more standardized production across different regions.
This piece is a Great Qing Copper Coin minted in Guangxu Year 32 (AD 1906) at the Hubei Copper Coin Bureau, in accordance with the Ministry of Revenue’s official specifications.
The upper part of this coin exhibits a minting defect resulting in a missing section, likely caused by die wear, uneven casting, or an issue during the striking process.
The obverse of the coin features a beaded border, with a five-clawed coiled dragon at the centre, depicted spewing a flaming pearl. The Great Dynasty copper coins minted in Hupeh Province featured various dragon designs. This specimen belongs to the version depicting a dragon with two crown-like adornments.
The upper half of the outer rim is inscribed in Chinese characters with “光緒年造” (Minted in the Guangxu Era), while the surrounding English inscription reads “TAI-CHING-TI-KUO COPPER COIN” (Copper Coin of the Great Qing Empire).
The reverse of the coin features a beaded border, within which the four Chinese characters “大清銅幣” (Great Qing Copper Coin) are inscribed in regular script. At the centre, there is a raised circular dot, with the abbreviated name of Hupeh (鄂) engraved in intaglio within the circle. The outer rim is divided by the two Chinese characters “戶部” (Ministry of Revenue). The upper portion bears the sexagenary cycle year “丙午” (Bing Wu) and a Manchu inscription reading “ᠸᡝᡳᠯᡝᡥᡝ ᠠᠨᡳᠶᠠᡳ ᡩᠣᠷᠣ ᡳ ᠪᠠᡩᠠᠷᠠᠩᡤᠠ” (Minted in the Guangxu Era). The lower rim is inscribed with the coin’s denomination, “當制錢十文” (Equivalent to Ten Cash).