1906 China – Hupeh Province
Dragon 10 Cash | NGC MS 61 BN
Offered here is a 1906 Hupeh Province 10 C coin from the final years of the Qing Dynasty. Certified by NGC as MS 61 BN, this coin represents an important issue from one of China's most collected provincial mints and is a desirable example of late Qing machine-struck coinage.
Historical Background
This coin was produced during the reign of the Guangxu Emperor (1875–1908), a period when the Qing Dynasty was attempting to modernize China's economy and monetary system while facing increasing political and social challenges.
The Hupeh (Hubei) Mint was one of the most important provincial mints in China. Located in central China near the Yangtze River, Hupeh was a major commercial and industrial center and produced a wide range of copper and silver coinage that circulated throughout the region.
The year 1906 was only a few years before the Xinhai Revolution of 1911, which ended Qing imperial rule and established the Republic of China. As a result, late Qing dragon coins are historically significant because they represent the final era of Chinese imperial coin production.
The Dragon Design
The dragon featured on late Qing coinage was a powerful symbol of imperial authority, strength, and legitimacy. These machine-struck coins combined traditional Chinese imagery with modern minting technology introduced during China's monetary reforms.
Hupeh dragon coins are highly collected because of their attractive designs, historical importance, and the many different varieties created by provincial mint production. Collectors study differences in dragon details, lettering, clouds, and other design elements to identify specialized varieties.
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 MS 61 BN
Condition: Mint State
Color: Brown (BN)
NGC Population
According to the provided NGC population report:
MS 61 BN: 105 examples
Higher Grades: 472 examples
This certified example represents a well-preserved Mint State specimen with original brown coloration. While higher-grade examples are known, the coin remains desirable due to its historical importance, Hupeh provincial origin, and connection to the final years of Qing imperial coinage.
Historical Significance
Hupeh 10 Cash coins are among the most popular late Qing provincial issues, combining traditional Chinese symbolism with the modernization of China's monetary system.
This 1906 issue provides a tangible connection to a dramatic period in Chinese history—the final years of the Qing Empire, when the nation was preparing for one of its greatest political transformations.
Please see the photographs and NGC certification for the exact variety, color, surfaces, and condition of the coin.
