50 Fen - Guangxu 3 Mace and 6 Candareens
| Emisor | Kwangtung Province |
|---|---|
| Año | 1889 |
| Tipo | Standard circulation coin |
| Valor | 50 Fen (0.50) |
| Moneda | Yuan (1900-1949) |
| Composición | Silver (.860) |
| Peso | 13.50 g |
| Diámetro | 34 mm |
| Grosor | 1.5 mm |
| Forma | Round |
| Técnica | Milled |
| Orientación | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Grabador(es) | |
| En circulación hasta | |
| Referencia(s) | Y#197.1 |
| Descripción del anverso | Four Chinese ideograms read top to bottom, right left with Manchu characters in the centre, all surrounded by English legend. |
|---|---|
| Escritura del anverso | |
| Leyenda del anverso |
KWANG-TUNG PROVINCE 光 ᠪᠠᡩᠠᡵᠠᠩᡤᠠ 寶 ᠶᡠᠸᠠᠨ ᠪᠣᠣ 元 ᡩᠣᡵᠣ 緒 3 MACE AND 6 CANDAREENS (Translation: Guangxu (Emperor) / Yuanbao (Original currency) Guangxu (Emperor) / Yuanbao (Original currency)) |
| Descripción del reverso | Dragon with pearl at centre surrounded by Chinese ideograms. |
| Escritura del reverso | |
| Leyenda del reverso |
造省東廣 分六錢三平庫 (Translation: Made in Kwangtung Province Worth 3 Mace and 6 Candareens (weight)) |
| Canto | Reeded. |
| Casa de moneda | |
| Tirada |
ND (1889) - - |
| ID de Numisquare | 1622815910 |
| Información adicional |
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Historical Context: The 1889 Kwangtung 50 Fen, or "3 Mace and 6 Candareens," was issued during Emperor Guangxu's reign, a pivotal late Qing Dynasty era of modernization. Kwangtung Province, a key trade hub, pioneered Western minting technology. This silver coin marked a crucial shift from traditional sycee to standardized, machine-struck currency. Its denomination, aligning with foreign silver dollars, was vital for international commerce and stabilizing China's monetary system.
Artistry: This coin's design expertly fuses traditional Chinese imperial iconography with Western minting aesthetics. Though specific engravers are unrecorded, the style reflects foreign mint masters' influence at the Kwangtung Mint. The obverse features a majestic, coiled imperial dragon, rendered with dynamic energy and three-dimensional depth, encircled by Chinese characters for province and denomination. The reverse displays the denomination in English and Chinese, with the year and Manchu script, underscoring Qing imperial authority.
Technical/Grading: For optimal grading, high-points like the dragon's eye, scales, claws, and mane must exhibit sharp detail. On the reverse, clarity and full strike of central Chinese characters and English lettering are crucial. Well-struck examples show crispness throughout, with strong definition on legends and devices. Premium examples boast excellent surface preservation, original luster (from satiny to semi-prooflike), and a clean, well-formed rim, indicative of a quality minting process despite common minor strike weaknesses.