This is the last cast square hole coin issued by China and the last coin issued by an Imperial dynasty. Emperor Pu Yi, also known by his reign title Hsuan-T’ung, ascended to the Chinese throne in 1908, aged three. By this time however imperial rule was already collapsing due to repeated wars, foreign interference and internal misrule. In 1911 he abdicated the throne in favor of the establishment of the Chinese Republic. The full story is in the excellent film “The Last Emperor” by Bernardo Bertolucci. This one cash coin of Hsuan-t’ung’s brief rule was issued by the Board of Revenue Mint in Peking.

This China cultural article is one of a regular series we are running at China Briefing. Conducting business in China is more than just legal and tax advise, one has to “feel” the country and its rhythms as well in order to properly advice clients on conducting business in this massive country. These China cultural articles are intended to assist with a greater business understanding of the background to doing business in China, and are provided by the research team at Dezan Shira & Associates. To view the China business cultural archives please click here.