1906 China – Hupeh Province
Dragon 10 Cash | NGC AU 55 BN
Offered here is a 1906 Hupeh Province 10 Cash copper coin from the final years of the Qing Dynasty. Certified by NGC as AU 55 BN, this attractive example represents an important period in Chinese monetary history, when traditional imperial coinage was being transformed through modern machine-striking technology.
Historical Background
This coin was issued during the reign of the Guangxu Emperor (1875–1908), when the Qing government was attempting to modernize China's financial and monetary systems. Provincial mints played an important role in this process, producing standardized machine-struck copper coins for everyday commerce.
Hupeh (modern Hubei) was one of the most important economic regions in central China. Its mint produced a large and varied series of copper and silver coinage, including numerous dragon varieties that are highly collected today.
The year 1906 places this coin near the end of the Qing Dynasty. Only five years later, the Xinhai Revolution of 1911 would overthrow the Qing government and bring an end to more than two centuries of imperial rule.
The Dragon Design
The dragon was the most recognizable symbol of Qing imperial authority, representing the emperor, strength, power, and legitimacy. Its appearance on modern machine-struck coinage allowed the Qing government to combine traditional Chinese symbolism with modern Western-style minting technology.
Hupeh copper dragon coins are particularly interesting to specialists because the series contains numerous varieties and differences in lettering, clouds, dragon details, and other design elements.
Coin Details
Country: China
Dynasty: Qing Dynasty
Emperor: Guangxu Emperor
Province: Hupeh (Hubei)
Year: 1906
Denomination: 10 Cash
Type: Hupeh Dragon Coinage
Metal: Copper / Bronze
Grade: NGC AU 55 BN
Condition: About Uncirculated
Color: Brown (BN)
NGC Population
According to the provided NGC population report:
AU 55 BN: 150 examples
Higher Grades: 806 examples
The AU 55 grade indicates a coin that saw limited circulation while retaining strong overall detail. The BN (Brown) designation identifies the coin's brown copper/bronze coloration.
Although higher-graded examples are known, this remains an attractive certified example of an important late Qing provincial issue.
Historical Significance
This coin was circulating during one of the most dramatic periods in Chinese history. The Qing Empire was attempting to modernize while facing political instability, foreign pressure, and growing demands for reform.
Within only a few years of this coin's production, imperial China would disappear and the Republic of China would be established in 1912. As a result, Hupeh dragon coins provide a tangible connection to the final chapter of China's imperial monetary history.
Over 120 years old, this NGC AU 55 BN Hupeh 10 Cash is an excellent addition to collections of Qing Dynasty coinage, Chinese dragon coins, provincial issues, and world coins.
Please see the photographs and NGC certification for the exact variety, color, surfaces, and condition of the coin.
