Dragon Dollar
Item
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Title
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Dragon Dollar
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Description
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Round silver "dragon" dollar from Szechuan Province during the reign of Kuang-Hsü. Approximately 39.5mm in diameter.
Front: mark of Chengtu Mint in center surrounded by characters in Chinese and
Manchurian reading (top to bottom, right to left): “Kuang Hsü Yuan Pao”, circumscribed by pearlate border creating an inner and outer circle. Arcing above in the outer circle, Chinese characters (reading right to left) state: “Minted in Szechuen Province.” Small, decorative crosses or stars (one on the left and one on the right) flank the central, inner circle motif. Arcing below, in the outer circle, Chinese characters (reading right to left) describe the denomination: “Equivalent to 7 mace 2 candereens.”
Reverse: in the center of the coin is a dragon with a narrow face and flaming pearl surrounded by stylized clouds, defining an inner circle. Arcing above in the outer circle is the legend: SZECHUEN PROVINCE indicating place and mint of origin. Small, decorative crosses or stars (one on the left and one on the right) flank the central dragon motif. Arcing below, in the lower outer circle, is 7 MACE AND 2 CANDAREENS, noting the coin's denomination.
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Szechuen (Szezhuan or Sichuan) is located in south-central China and is the largest of the traditional Chinese Provinces. It is a plateau region with many rivers which supported an active maritime trade. These silver dollars were introduced in imitation of silver trade dollars in order to stem the circulation of foreign currency and establish greater Chinese control over their foreign trade. The Imperial Mint at Chengtu opened in 1732 and began producing milled coinage in 1898. The machinery for the mint was produced in New Jersey and the dies were engraved in Philadelphia. The mint was closed after only a few months of operation in 1898 and did not reopen until 1901, at which time, full production of the silver dollar began. This coin is an example of the first issue of this mint. The Chengtu Mint was looted by soldiers in 1925 and republic issues ceased in 1932.
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Identifier
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2008.036.018
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Source
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China
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Subject
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Numismatics
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Provenance
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William and Catherine Sell
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Date Created
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1901-1908 CE
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Is Part Of
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Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
