民国通宝一文 NGC AU-Details
CHINA. Pattern Cash Struck in Iron, ND (1912-13).KM-Pn4. VERY RARE pattern of unadopted design struck in iron.<br /> The founding of the republic in 1912 marked the beginning of the end of the vastly different coinage type manufactured in the various regions of China. Efforts were focused on the unification of a standard coinage type, hence many patterns were proposed during this period to fill this purpose. Although this pattern of proposed designed was never adopted, it serves as somewhat of a historical marker. Represented here is one of the last square hole cash issues, marking an end to the over two thousand year tradition of using the square hole cash design. <br /><p>According to Giuseppe Ros article <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Coins of the Republic of China</i>: “The Head Mint in Tientsin had under consideration an issue of very neat iron 1-cash coins. Only a few sample pieces were struck, which never entered circulation.”, “The Tientsin mint officials, after having the die for this coin engraved, became convinced of the impracticality of an iron coinage.” (p.122/141 #116) (published in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Journal of the North-China Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society</i>, 1917, Shanghai.)<br /><br /><br /><br /><p>Ros was a serious-minded numismatist, in Italian Consular Service. See Kann p.331(bottom)/332.<br />Attractive original surfaces showing only a minor amount of rust.<br /><br /><br /><br />NGC AU Details--Environmental Damage.Wa She Wong Collection
