China Chekiang Zhejiang 10 Cash Guangxu Yuanbao c.1903-06 Copper Y#49 Fine-VF For Sale

In the first years of the twentieth century the Qing Empire began replacing its ancient cast cash coinage with modern machine-struck copper, and each province opened its own mint to do it. This 10 Cash was struck in Zhejiang (Chekiang) Province around 1903 to 1906 in the name of the Guangxu Emperor, with the Guangxu Yuanbao legend and provincial inscription on one side and the imperial dragon on the other. The Chekiang issues are a distinctive type, carrying their legends entirely in Chinese and Manchu, and they mark the moment China\'s everyday money moved from the casting pit to the steam press.This example presents as an honest Fine to Very Fine with the dragon\'s head, horns and central pearl still crisp, the provincial and denomination characters clearly legible around the six-petalled rosette, and an even mid-brown patina with attractive reddish tone on the high points. Year/Mint: Undated, issued c. 1903-1906, Zhejiang (Chekiang) Province · Denomination: 10 Cash (當十) · Composition: Copper · Reference: Y# 49Carefully packaged and promptly shipped with tracking.