CHINA, ZHŌNGHUÁ MÍNGUÓ (REPUBLIC OF CHINA). 1912-1949. 20 Cents Year 15 = 1926 (Silver, 23 mm, 5.30 g, 12 h), Twelve Symbols national emblem. So-called Puyi wedding issue. Old emblem of China (the Twelve Symbols national emblem, 1913-1928) consisting of a dragon and a phoenix holding sacrificial cups over an axe head. Rev. 年五十國民華中 / 圓一當枚十每 // 貳 / 角 Value 2 Jiao within wreath. Kann 681. L&M 82. Yeoman 335. Beautifully toned. Stained reverse, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.


In his opus on Chinese numismatics, Eduard Kann proposed that this brief 'dragon and phoenix' coin series was issued in honor of the former emperor’s wedding from the previous year, 1922. As such, the 'Pu Yi Wedding type' became synonymous with the three denominations. This attribution, however, is now known to have been erroneously applied by Kann, and the overall type is seen merely as a glimpse into the proposals for a new national emblem. Cf. E. Kann, Illustrated Catalog of Chinese Coins (Gold, Silver, Nickel and Aluminum), 1954, p. 235.