A Set of Three Late Qing & Republic of China Silver Coins with Antique Cinnabar Fu Lu Shou Marks, 19th–20th Century

拍品描述

Dimensions: Each silver coin measures 3.9 cm (1.54 inches) in diameter; the set weighs a total of 80 grams. This is a collection of 19th-20th century Chinese silver coins. Condition and Provenance: All three coins are in perfect condition, without cracks, repairs, or severe dents. The edges are sharp and clear, and there is slight natural wear on the flat areas of the coin surface. The obverse features three large characters "福" (Fu, fortune), "禄" (Lu, prosperity), and "寿" (Shou, longevity) hand-painted in cinnabar ink. The ink adheres firmly, with a rich and antique color, commonly used in ancient times as a folk mark for weddings and birthdays. The reverse features a Guangdong Xuan Tong Yuan Bao with a dragon design and a Republic of China Year 3 Yuan Shikai silver coin. The silver coins are decorated with a grain wreath pattern, with clear details of the dragon scales and grains, covered with a uniform natural patina, untouched by artificial aging or chemical cleaning. This set of Fu Lu Shou cinnabar-printed silver coins was originally passed down through a private family in the Lingnan region of China. In 2024, it entered a professional coin collection in Singapore; in 2026, it was acquired by a private collector of uncirculated silver coins in Florida, USA. Singapore, Florida, and Vancouver are major global centers for trading privately minted silver coins. Description: This selected set includes three standard one-yuan silver coins minted during the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China period. Each coin bears the traditional folk inscription of "Fu" (福, fortune), "Lu" (禄, prosperity), and "Shou" (寿, longevity) in cinnabar ink, making them both collectible and uniquely Chinese folk cultural artifacts. All three coins possess representative historical features: the Guangdong Xuantong Yuanbao Seven Gold Silver Coin is an officially issued dragon-patterned silver coin from the late Qing Dynasty, featuring a three-dimensional dragon design and inscriptions in both Manchu and Chinese, representing a classic dragon-patterned silver coin variety from southern China. The other two are one-yuan silver coins from the third year of the Republic of China (1914) by Yuan Shikai, which were major circulating silver coins in the early Republic of China period. The obverse features a lifelike relief of figures, while the reverse depicts the character "一元" (one yuan) surrounded by a wreath of wheat ears. In ancient folk customs, elders would write the characters "福," "禄," and "寿" in cinnabar ink on silver coins as auspicious gifts for weddings, birthdays, and newborns, keeping them at home for good fortune. Today, a set of three silver coins with intact, unfaded cinnabar inscriptions is extremely rare, serving as authentic evidence of modern Chinese folk customs of praying for blessings. These coins meet purity standards and are covered with a soft, natural patina developed over a century of circulation. Details such as the dragon motif, figures, and wheat wreaths are well-preserved. This complete set of silver coins possesses multi-dimensional research value, encompassing modern monetary history, late Qing Dynasty minting techniques, and traditional folk customs. Complete sets of cinnabar-inscribed "Fu Lu Shou" (福禄寿, meaning fortune, prosperity, and longevity) coins are seldom seen in existing collections and are highly sought after by coin collectors and folk art museums worldwide, considered a highly distinctive and valuable collection of complete folk silver coins.

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