Coin of the Week: Ancient Chinese Kang Xi Tong Bao

Obverse (Inscription: Kang Xi Tong Bao)

Reverse (Inscription: Currency and Issuing Mint)

 

A friend of mine, Mike, sent me pictures of four coins a neighbor had given him when he was seven. He wanted me to find out where these coins originated. That request ended up being one of the most interesting coin research projects that I’ve undertaken! So this week, I’m highlighting one of the four coins – the kang xi tong bao.

The Chinese civilization was one of the first to use money, with coins being issued as early as the 11th century BC. The tong bao (meaning “universal currency” or “circulating currency”) was introduced during the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907) to replace the wu zhu, a coin/currency that had been in circulation for approximately 700 years. The kang xi tong bao was issued by the Kangxi Emperor during the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911). The Kangxi Emperor was the fourth emperor of this Dynasty and reigned China from 1662-1722. Kangxi was the longest ruling Chinese emperor, reigning over 60 years.

The kang xi tong bao was minted in bronze. Considered a “cash coin” (like all tong bao coins), the value of the coin was pegged to silver as had been defined at the beginning of the Qing Dynasty. The characters on the obverse of the coin have to be read as follows: top (康 kang), bottom (熙 xi), right (通 tong) and then left (宝 bao). The top and bottom characters usually stated what “period” the coin was from, the right and left characters stated that the coin was “currency”. These coins were cast at several mints throughout China, and the obverse included the Manchu character for bao, pronounced “boo” (meaning "building" but in this case used to mean “currency” or "treasure”) on the left as well as the issuing mint on the right. This particular coin was minted at the Beijing Board of Works.

After deciphering a couple of the obverse characters (bao being the key character!), I gathered most of the details concerning this coin from a really informative website/blog run by Gary Ashkenazy. I hope you find his site as interesting as I did.

Also, if you have any coins that you would like me to research and write about, please let me know!

 

Coin of the Week: 1903 North Borneo 5 Cents

Obverse (Image: Denomination)

Reverse (Image: National Arms with Supporters)

The chartered British North Borneo Company was formed in 1881 to administer what today is known as Sabah in the territory of East Malaysia. The original Company charter can be found in the Cornell University Library. The Company exercised its rights to the territory until World War II, when the Japanese government took power from 1942 - 1945. After the war, the British military administration took control of the territory until North Borneo joined the new state of Malaysia in 1963.

The British North Borneo dollar was the currency of the territory from 1882 - 1953, with 100 cents equaling one dollar. The British North Borneo Company issued both coins and banknotes.

The obverse of the 5 cent piece states the denomination within a circle, the year of issue and "State of North Borneo". The reverse depicts the coat of arms of the British North Borneo Company. It consists of a crest with images of a lion above a dhow (a native sailing boat). Above the crest, two arms are grasping the flag of the Governor of British North Borneo. The crest is supported by two Borneo natives (the Dayak peoples). While the native on the left holds a shield, the one on the right holds a sword. Below the crest (hard to decipher on my coin image) is the Company motto Pergo et perago, Latin for "I undertake and I achieve".

Coin of the Week: 1987 West Africa 50 Francs

Obverse (Image: Taku-Ashanti Gold Weight)

Reverse (Image: Denomination within mixed beans, grains and nuts)

The West African CFA franc is the currency of eight countries in West Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea - Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. The West African CFA (Communauté financière d'Afrique or "Financial Community of Africa") franc is equal to the Central African CFA franc, a currency used by six central African countries. The CFA franc was introduced to the French colonies in 1945 to replace the French West African franc. It is currently pegged to the Euro with 1 Euro equaling 655.597 CFA francs.

The obverse of the coin depicts a Taku-Ashanti gold weight. The Ashanti are a people from modern-day Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Around the 1400s, they started using these weights on scales to weigh gold dust that was used as currency. The gold weights were often symbolic of Ashanti proverbs and culture. More information can be found here: Ashanti Gold Weights. The reverse of the coins depicts representative foodstuff from the region: beans, grains and nuts.

Coin of the Week: 1923 US Dollar ("Peace")

Obverse (Image: Liberty)

Reverse (Image: Bald Eagle)

With the passing of Labor Day in the United States, I decided to highlight an American coin this week.

The currency of the United States of America is the US dollar, with 100 cents equaling one dollar. The US dollar was created by the Coinage Act of 1792, but it’s interesting to note that both the Mexican peso and Spanish dollar also remained legal tender until 1857.

The first dollar coin was minted in 1795 and was known as the Flowing Hair Dollar. The Peace dollar was minted from 1921 – 1928 and again in 1934 and 1935. The design of the coin was the result of a competition won by Anthony de Francisci to commemorate the peace following World War I. The obverse depicts a profile of Liberty with a crown similar to the one on the Statue of Liberty. This side of the coin also includes the word “Liberty” and the motto “In God We Trust”, both requirements of the competition.

The reverse of the coin depicts a bald eagle perched on a mountain top, holding an olive branch. Included on the reverse are the denomination, the name of the country and E pluribus unum, with all three also requirements of the competition. In addition, de Francisci included the word “Peace” on this side of the coin. The phrase E pluribus unum is Latin for “out of many, one” and was adopted in 1782 by an Act of Congress.

More information on the Peace dollar can be found in this interview: Interview with Peace dollar historian Roger Burdette. 

 

Coin of the Week: 1949 Norway 1 Krone

Obverse (Image: Crowned Monograms)

Reverse (Image: Cross of the Order of St. Olav Collar)

The currency of the Kingdom of Norway is the krone, with 100 øre equaling 1 krone. The krone was introduced in 1875 when Norway joined the Scandinavian Monetary Union and replaced its previous currency unit, the speciedaler.

The 1949 1 Krone was introduced under the reign of King Haakon VII. The border of the obverse has the statement "Haakon the Seventh, King of Norway". This side also includes the monogram of the king in the form of an "H" combined with a "7". The monogram tradition continues today, with the modern Norwegian 1 krone featuring Harald V's monogram consisting of an "H" and a "5". The reverse depicts the collar of the Cross of the Order of St. Olav, an order of chivalry. The collar consists of the Norwegian coat of arms with the royal crown at the top and the cross itself at the bottom. The reverse also includes King Haakon's royal motto Alt for Norge, or "(Give) all for Norway". Though each king can choose his own personal motto, the two kings that followed Haakon VII (Olav V from 1957 - 1991 and Harald V from 1991 - Present) both decided to continue using the same motto. This may be due to the motto's particularly high standing as one of the symbols of Norway's struggle against German occupation during World War II.

 

 

Coin of the Week: 1901 Uruguay 5 Centesimos

Obverse (Image: Sun with rays)

Reverse (Image: Value within laurel wreath)

The official currency of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay is the Uruguayan peso, with 100 centesimos equalling 1 peso. The peso has been used since European colonization, but has been devaluated twice in the 1900s: once in 1973 with the introduction of the new peso and again in 1993 when the new peso was replaced with the Uruguayan peso.

This 1901 coin was issued during a period when Uruguay had adopted the gold standard, from 1896 - 1935. The 5 centesimos coin features a sun with rays, a popular coin pattern, on the obverse. The sun is the Sun of May, a representation of the Inca sun god Inti. This was a symbol of the 1810 May Revolution when territories like Argentina and Uruguay gained their independence from Spain. The reverse displays the value within a laurel wreath. 

During my research for this coin, I stumbled upon this interesting website: en.numista.com. If you want to connect with other coin collectors in the world, then check it out!

Silly Pop Song: Friends

Was home without the family last week and had some time to goof off. This is for everyone out there who loves just being a "friend". I'll have to make a video sometime soon. Until then, enjoy!

Friends.mp3 Listen on Posterous

Coin of the Week: 1966 Panama 1/4 Balboa

Obverse (Image: Vasco Nunez de Balboa)

 Reverse (Image: Panamanian Coat of Arms)

The currency of the Republic of Panama, along with the US dollar, is the balboa, with 100 centesimos equaling one balboa. The currency is named after the Spanish explorer Vasco Nunez de Balboa and replaced the Colombian peso after Panama gained its independence in November 1903. The balboa has been pegged 1:1 to the US dollar since its introduction.

The obverse of the 1/4 balboa features a portrait of Vasco Nunez de Balboa. Balboa was the first European to cross the Isthmus of Panama to the Pacific Ocean in 1513. He named the ocean "Mar del Sur" (South Sea) since he had traveled south across the Isthmus to the ocean. What I love the most about his portrait is the helmet, called a Morion (see a short description and beautiful example of one here). The morion was a popular helmet in 16th and 17th century Europe because it was inexpensive to produce. The comb on the top of the helmet was designed to strengthen it.

The reverse of the coin displays the Panamanian coat of arms. Below is the official description:

It rests on a green field, symbol of the vegetation; it is of pointed form and it is intervened as far as the division. The center shows the Isthmus with its seas and sky, in which the moon begins to rise above the waves and the sun begins to hide behind the mountain, marking thereby the solemn hour of the declaration of our independence. The head is divided in two quarters: in the one of the right hand, in the silver field, a sword and a gun are hung meant as abandonment for always to the civil wars, causes of our ruin; in the one of the left-hand side, and on field of gules, a crossed shovel and a grub hoe are shown shining, to symbolize the work.

The end of the coat of arms also is divided in two quarters: the one of the right-hand side, in blue field, shows a cornucopia, emblem of the wealth; and the one of the left-hand side, in field of silver, the winged wheel, symbol of the progress. Behind the shield and covering it with his opened wings, is the eagle, emblem of the sovereignty, the head turned towards the left, and takes in the tip a silver tape, which hangs from right to left. On the tape the following motto is printed "Pro Mundi Beneficio".

On the eagle, in arc form, nine gold stars go in representation of the provinces in which the Republic is divided (Note: this is now outdated as there are now also 3 indigenous districts). Like decorative accessories, to each side of the coat of arms two gathered national flags go on the other hand below.

I also found this website with more information on all Panamanian coins: http://www.coins-of-panama.com/coins.html

Coin of the Week: 1976 Japan 50 Yen

Obverse (Image: Chrysanthemum)

Reverse (Value, Year of Minting)

The currency of Japan is the Japanese yen, with 1 yen equalling 100 sen. The yen, meaning "a round object", was adopted in 1871 and replaced the previous and more complex monetary system, Tokugawa coinage. The Japanese yen is the third most traded currency (after the US Dollar and Euro) in the foreign exchange market and is also widely used as a reserve currency.

The design of the 50 yen coin has not changed since 1967. The obverse features a chrysanthemum. It is believed that this flower was first introduced to Japan around the 8th Century. It impressed the Japanese Emperors, who included the flower in their crest, and to this day is regarded as a symbol of the sun. The Japanese consider the way that the chrysanthemum's petals unfold to represent perfection. They celebrate the flower annually during a "chrysanthemum festival" known as the Festival of Happiness.

The reverse of the coin features the value and year of minting. The year of minting uses a Japanese era calendar scheme. The four eras (an era is called nengo) since the introduction of the Japanese yen are the Meiji (from 1868 - 1912), the Taisho (from 1912 - 1926), the Showa (from 1926 - 1989) and the Heisei (from 1989 - present). The year shown on the coin is the year number within a particular era. For example, this 50 yen coin was minted in the year 51 of the Showa era. Japanese era names are not only used on coins but usually required on official government documents as well.

Coin of the Week: 1971 Indonesia 50 Rupiah

Obverse (Coin Denomination)

Reverse (Image: Greater Bird of Paradise)

The currency of the Republic of Indonesia is the rupiah. The rupiah is divided into 100 sen, although inflation has made all coins and banknotes denominated in sen obsolete. The rupiah was first introduced in 1946, replacing the Japanese gulden that had been introduced during their occupation of the Indonesian islands in the Second World War. However, the rupiah still competed with the Dutch NICA (Netherlands Indies Civil Administration) gulden and other forms of currency until Indonesia's independence was recognized in 1949 and the Bank of Indonesia was established at the end of 1951. More about the various forms of currency during Indonesia's colonial and occupational periods can be found here.

Coins were first introduced in 1951 in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 sen. Due to extremely high inflation, coins were no longer issued between 1961 and 1971. Once inflation was under control again, new coins were introduced in 1971 using the rupiah. The designs were fairly simple, with the obverse featuring the Bank of Indonesia, denomination and year of issue. The reverse of the 50 rupiah piece depicts the Greater Bird of Paradise, a native bird of Indonesia. The Swedish botanist and zoologist Carl Linnaeus named the species "legless bird of paradise" because natives prepared the birds without feet when trading them with Europeans.

Coin of the Week: 2003 Syria 10 pounds

Obverse (Image: Syrian National Arms)

Reverse (Image: Ancient Ruins of Palmyra)

With all of the turmoil currently in Syria, I decided to look into the coins I have from there. The official currency of the Syrian Arab Republic is the Syrian pound. The pound is divided into 100 qirsh, although this denomination is no longer in use. The pound was introduced in 1919, after the fall of the Ottoman Empire. Before 1919, as part of the Ottoman Empire, the Turkish lira was in circulation.

There are two reasons why I chose the 10 pound coin. One is because of the technology incorporated in the design. The other is because of an interesting fact related to the coin.

The obverse of the 10 pound coin depicts Syria's National Arms as well as the year of issue in both the Islamic (1424) as well as Gregorian (2003) calendars. The national arms features the Hawk of Quraysh (or Quraish) holding a shield with the Syrian flag. Quraysh was the tribe to which Mohammad belonged and became the dominant tribe in Mecca. The reverse depicts the ancient ruins at Palmyra with a latent image included in the design. The initials of the Central Bank of Syria (CBS) appear when the coin is turned one way, the denomination appears when the coin is turned the opposite direction. As to Palmyra, it was an important city in antiquity because it was strategically located on two routes linking the Far East with the Mediterranean Sea. More information on Palmyra can be found on this link from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Now to the interesting fact related to the Syrian 10 pound coin: since the shape, weight and size of the coin resembles that of the 20 Norwegian krone, vending machines and other coin-operated machines in Norway cannot tell the two coins apart. While not readily available in Norway, the fact that the Syrian coins had been used on occasion led the Norwegian postal service to close many of its coins-to-cash machines in 2006. It wanted to develop a system that was able to differentiate between the two coins.

Coin of the Week: 1997 Jordan 1/2 Dinar

Obverse (Image: Leaf Design)

Reverse (Image: King Hussein bin Talal)

Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, has its roots in the ancient kingdoms of Nabatean, Edom, Ammon and Moab. The Nabatean Kingdom, with its capital Petra (considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World), highlights the important role the Kingdom of Jordan has played in world history. Modern Jordan was founded in 1921 as Transjordan, part of the British Mandate of Palestine created after World War I and the end of the Ottoman Empire. The country became an independent state in 1946.

Jordan's currency is the dinar, with 1 dinar equalling 100 qirsh (also called piastres). The word dinar may come from the Latin word denarius, which stood for a small silver coin used in the Roman currency system. All of Jordan's coins depict the King of Jordan on the obverse. In 1997, this was King Hussein. Today, his son King Abdullah rules the country. The reverse of this heptagonal 1/2 dinar states the denomination encircled by a leaf/arabic design. More information on coins from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan can be found here.

Coin of the Week: 1983 Cook Islands 50 Cents

Obverse (Image: Queen Elizabeth II)

 Reverse (Image: Bonito)

The Cook Islands are composed of 15 islands in the South Pacific. The country is a self-governing democracy in free association with New Zealand. Although discovered by the Spanish explorer Alvaro de Mendana in 1595, the islands were more or less ignored until rediscovered by their namesake, Captain James Cook in 1773. The indigenous population, the Maoris, are believed to have lived on the islands for more than 1,000 years.

The currency of the Cook Islands is the dollar, with 100 cents equaling 1 dollar. As a member of the British Commonwealth, Cook Island coins portray Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse. The reverse of the 50-cent coin depicts the bonito, a type of tuna important in the diets of the islanders. For more information on the bonito, including fishing and cooking tips, click here.

Coin of the Week: 2001 Korean 500 Won

Obverse (Image: Red-crowned Crane)

Reverse (Image: Denomination)

South Korea's currency is the won, a currency which has been in use for thousands of years. Today's Korean won was introduced in 1962, with 500 won coins entering circulation in 1982. 

Like all of South Korea's coins, the 500 won has the year of issue, denomination and bank title on the reverse. The obverse depicts the red-crowned crane. This crane is one of the rarest cranes in the world and is a symbol of good luck and longevity in many parts of Asia. The red-crowned crane has an estimated population of 1,500 remaining in the wild, with about 1/3 of them migrating to the Korean peninsula in the winter. Interestingly enough, the sanctuary that this crane depends on is in the Korean DMZ and Civilian Controlled Zone. The red-crowned crane is protected as a National Monument in South Korea.

If you're interested in more information about red-crowned cranes, visit the Smithsonian's National Zoo. For conservation efforts, visit the International Crane Foundation.

 

Coin of the Week: 1977 Solomon Islands 1 Dollar

Obverse (Image: Queen Elizabeth II)

Reverse (Image: Traditional Wood Carving)

Like other islands in the Pacific, the indigenous people of the Solomon Islands bartered or used items of value such as cowrie shells and whale teeth as currency. Coins began to replace these items when Europeans started colonizing this nation consisting of almost 1,000 islands. The Solomon Islands introduced its own currency in 1977, one year after achieving self-government. The islands became an independent nation in 1978 and are now a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The currency of the Solomon Islands is the dollar, with one dollar divided into 100 cents.

The seven-sided 1 dollar coin depicts Queen Elizabeth II, the Monarch of the Solomon Islands and head of state, on the obverse. The reverse depicts a native wood carving called the nguzu nguzu.  The figurehead was attached to a canoe's prow and was thought to give supernatural protection. The nguzu nguzu on the 1 dollar is typical, depicting a figure with a large head, small arms and circular ear ornaments. You can get more information and see an exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art here.

Coin of the Week: 1974 Denmark 5 Kroner

Obverse (Image: Queen Margrethe II)

Reverse (Image: Crowned Shield)

Denmark has a long history of minting, with coins appearing as early as AD 825. Danish coinage was decimalized in 1874, with 1 krone = 100 øre. Although part of the European Union, Denmark has not adapted the Euro. Instead, the krone is pegged to the Euro through the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM).

The obverse of the 5 kroner has a depiction of Queen Margrethe II. She inherited the Danish crown from her father in 1972, thanks to a 1953 referendum repealing the laws that prohibited women from inheriting the throne. The reverse depicts the royal coat of arms, a shield divided into four quarters by a cross derived from the Danish flag, the Dannebrog. The first and fourth quarters represent Denmark, with three crowned lions accompanied by nine hearts. The second quarter represents a former Danish province, Schleswig, with two lions. The third quarter consists of three symbols: the three crowns at the top represent the Kalmar Union (that united Denmark, Sweden and Norway), the ram symbolizes the Faroe Islands and the polar bear represents Greenland. The crest at the top is the crown of King Christian V of Denmark.

Here's an interesting note regarding the "S" and "B" on the bottom of the obverse with a heart in between. The heart is a national symbol of Denmark, the "S" is the initial of the mint master at the time, Vagn Sorensen, and the "B" is the initial of the moneyer at the time, Frode Bahnsen. 

Coin of the Week: 1999 Botswana 25 Thebe

Obverse (Image: Botswana Coat of Arms)

Reverse (Image: Zebu Bull)

The Republic of Botswana is a country in southern Africa. It won its independence from Great Britain in 1966. Botswana introduced its currency, the pula, in 1976, replacing the South African rand. The pula is subdivided into 100 thebe. An interesting fact is that pula means "rain" and can also mean "blessing", since rain is rare in Botswana. The word thebe means "shield".

The seven-sided 25 thebe has the coat of arms of Botswana on the obverse. According to Ralf Hartemink's website:

The shape of the shield is rather strange, as it is a shape used in East Africa and not by the Tswana tribes. The cog wheels
symbolize mining and industry in the country. The waves symbolize the (few) rivers in the country and the importance of water.
The bull's head symbolizes the importance of cattle herding for the economy of the country.

The supporters are two zebra, which are common among the wildlife in Botswana. The supporters hold an elephant's tusk, as a
symbol for the former ivory trade, and an ear of sorghum, the main local crop.

The reverse has a depiction of a zebu bull. These cattle originated in south Asia but were imported into Africa over many hundreds of years. More about the zebu can be read here. 

Coin of the Week: 1977 England 50 Pence

Obverse (Image: Queen Elizabeth II)

Reverse (Image: Britannia)

To celebrate the royal wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince Williams, I decided to post one of my English coins. England has a long history of minting coins, with the first mint established in AD 287. Coins have been continuously minted for over 1,100 years, with the London Mint (now Royal Mint) established in AD 886. The English monetary system used to consist of farthings, shillings, florins, sovereigns and guineas, making it very confusing for anyone who wasn't English. The government decimalized the monetary system in 1971 and introduced new pence coins (100 new pence = 1 pound).

The seven-sided 50 pence coin, like all English coins, features the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse as required by law. The reverse features Britannia, the female personification of England and ancient term for Great Britain. Coins from as early as AD 138 have been found with Britannia depicted on them. More information on the origins of Britannia can be found here.

There's also a piece "Rule, Britannia" which I'm including here for any interested in the music: Rule Britannia.

Coin of the Week: 1996 Zimbabwe 5 Cents

Obverse (Image: Zimbabwe Soapstone Bird)

Reverse (Image: Rabbit)

For Easter, I searched through my coin collection and found this one from Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe dollar was introduced in 1980, replacing the Rhodesian dollar at a ratio of 1:1. But due to hyperinflation, with banknote denominations as high as $100 Trillion, Zimbabwe abandoned its official currency on April 12, 2009. Foreign currencies are now used for all transactions in Zimbabwe.

The 5-cent piece, like all Zimbabwe coins, featured the ancient soapstone bird on the obverse. A number of these stone bird carvings were discovered on walls and monoliths of the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe, the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe. Great Zimbabwe is now a national monument of the country.

The reverse depicts a rabbit, or hare. All Zimbabwe coins feature its wildlife and culture, and the 5-cent coin is no different.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Easter!

Coin of the Week: 2000 Kazakh 20 Tenge

Obverse (Inscription: 20 Tenge)

Reverse (Image: National Emblem of Kazakhstan)

A friend of mine requested that I post a coin from Kazakhstan for him to share with his adopted son, Peter. Luckily, I remembered that my in-laws had traveled to Kazakhstan a few years ago and brought me some coins. The only one I found in the stack of coins I still have to catalog (yes, still have lots of work to do!) was the 20 tenge.

Kazakhstan introduced the tenge on November 15, 1993 to replace the former Soviet Union's ruble. November 15 is therefore known as the "Day of National Currency of the Republic of Kazakhstan". The first coins circulated in 1993 included the 20 tenge piece.

The coin's obverse shows the denomination, an octagonal rosette at the top and national ornamentation on the bottom. The reverse of the coin depicts the national emblem of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The circumference states the year of issue as well as "ҚАЗАҚСТАН РЕСПУБЛИКАСЫ" (Republic of Kazakhstan) in the state language. The emblem was adopted in June 1992. The center depicts the upper dome-like part of a yurt (a portable dwelling). This dome is also known as a shanyrak and is supported on each side by mythical horses with wings. The Kazakh emblem is circular in shape, a symbol of life and eternity.

The shanyrak itself is an important symbol for the Kazakh people. A very interesting summary of the yurt and shanyrak can be found here.