1912 China — Crossed Flags, No Circle 10 Cash
An historically significant 1912 Republic of China 10 Cash, featuring the iconic Crossed Flags design created to commemorate the founding of the Chinese Republic.
This is a particularly important early Republican type, struck at the very beginning of the Republic's monetary history following the Xinhai Revolution of 1911, which brought more than two thousand years of imperial rule to an end.
A Coin From the Birth of Republican China
The year 1912 marks one of the most consequential turning points in Chinese history. Following the Wuchang Uprising and the Xinhai Revolution, the Qing Dynasty collapsed and the Republic of China was established.
The crossed flags on this coin were deliberately chosen as a powerful symbol of this new political order. Rather than displaying the traditional imperial dragon and dynastic symbolism found on Qing coinage, the new Republican coinage prominently displayed two crossed flags, representing the revolutionary movement and the newly established Republic.
The Chinese inscription on the obverse reads “Republic of China / Founding Commemorative Coin,” making the purpose of the issue unmistakable. The reverse carries the English inscription “THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA” together with the denomination “TEN CASH.” Numismatic references identify this as the first-issue 1912 Founding of the Republic 10 Cash, catalogued as Y#301 and its related varieties.
The Significance of the Crossed Flags
The crossed-flags motif is one of the most recognizable symbols of early Republican Chinese coinage.
The design reflects the revolutionary period in which China moved from imperial government toward a modern republic. The Five-Colored Flag, associated with the early Republic, represented the concept of unity among the major peoples of China, while revolutionary flags were associated with the forces that overthrew the Qing Dynasty.
Consequently, these coins are not simply early Republican currency—they are small metallic commemorations of the political birth of modern China.
The “No Circle” Variety
This example is particularly interesting as the Crossed Flags – No Circle variety.
The numerous varieties of the 1912 Y#301 series are distinguished by differences in the floral elements, flag details, and the treatment of the circles surrounding the reverse legend. Numismatic references specifically distinguish varieties with a double reverse circle from those with a single circle, including the scarcer Y#301.5 and Y#301.6 varieties.
For specialists in early Republic of China coinage, these small design differences are important because they help identify the individual varieties and production types within this historic inaugural issue.
Condition
This specimen is certified AU Details — Cleaned.
The AU Details designation indicates that the coin retains considerable original detail and evidence of circulation consistent with an About Uncirculated specimen, while the “Cleaned” designation indicates that the surfaces have been mechanically or chemically cleaned at some point.
Although the cleaning prevents the coin from receiving a straight numerical grade, it remains an attractive and historically important example of one of the earliest coinage types of the Republic of China.
Coin Details
- Country: China
- Period: Republic of China
- Date: 1912
- Denomination: 10 Cash
- Type: Founding of the Republic
- Design: Crossed Flags — No Circle
- Obverse: Crossed flags with Chinese inscription commemorating the founding of the Republic
- Reverse: “THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA” / “TEN CASH”
- Composition: Copper
- Grade: AU Details
- Comment: CLEANED
A Historic First-Year Republican Issue
Few dates in Chinese numismatic history are as meaningful as 1912.
This coin was produced at the dawn of the Republic of China, when the symbols of a new nation were replacing those of the fallen Qing Dynasty. The crossed flags, the Republican inscriptions, and the commemorative nature of the design combine to make this a fascinating survivor from the birth of Republican China.
For collectors of Chinese Republican coinage, revolutionary memorabilia, historical medals, or world coins connected to major political events, this early 10 Cash offers an affordable and tangible connection to one of the most important transformations in Chinese history.
