BEHIND THE CRAFT
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Behind the Craft - Trade Dollar

Necessity has inspired innovation and creativity throughout history, and was the driving force behind the creation of Trade Dollars, global currencies first introduced in the late 15th Century when the ‘Spanish Dollar’ was used as a standard currency to facilitate international trade.

Produced with a consistent quality and specification and worth eight Spanish Reales, the reliable, trusted Spanish Dollars were the original “pieces of eight”!

By the late 19th Century, Chinese trade was growing both regionally and with the West and a standardised currency was needed to simplify the buying and selling of goods.

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2021 Modern Chinese Trade Dollar 1oz Gold Proof Coin

ONLY 100 COINS WORLDWIDE

110 years after the last Chinese Trade Dollar was struck, this ‘Modern’ coin pays tribute to the role that the original played in Chinese trade.

The East India Company - Collections

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The first ‘Dragon’ Trade Dollars were made in 1889, struck in .900 silver in a purpose-built Mint in Guangdong Province. Similar coins were produced in Japan and South Korea and all three countries named them ‘Dollars’, a word which describes the coin’s shape. Pronounced similarly in all three languages, it is evident in the names of their currencies today; Yuan, Yen and Won.
• Strictly limited edition of just 100 coins worldwide
• One ounce of sparkling 999.9 fine gold
• Struck to our highest Proof quality finish
• Bespoke presentation case and storytelling booklet

Product Detail

The first ‘Dragon’ Trade Dollars were made in 1889, struck in .900 silver in a purpose-built Mint in Guangdong Province. Similar coins were produced in Japan and South Korea and all three countries named them ‘Dollars’, a word which describes the coin’s shape. Pronounced similarly in all three languages, it is evident in the names of their currencies today; Yuan, Yen and Won.
• Strictly limited edition of just 100 coins worldwide
• One ounce of sparkling 999.9 fine gold
• Struck to our highest Proof quality finish
• Bespoke presentation case and storytelling booklet

Specification

  • Alloy

    Fine Gold - 999.9Au

  • Denomination

    £5

  • Weight

    1oz

  • Authority

    St Helena

  • Diameter

    32mm

  • Edge

    Milled

  • Issue limit

    100

  • Total Mintage

    100

Stories

Trade Dollar

By the late 19th Century, Chinese trade was growing, driven by social and economic reforms led by a strong female figure; Cixi, the Empress Dowager.


Born in 1835, Cixi was chosen as concubine to the Emperor Xian Feng in 1852. She wasn’t the Emperor’s first wife but she became mother to his first son and rightful heir, making her the second highest ranked woman in the royal household. Just nine years later the Emperor suddenly passed away, leaving his young son Zai Chin as the head of the family.
Cixi, the ambitious and intelligent ‘Noble Consort’ overthrew the regency and assumed the role and title of Empress Dowager. Cixi was able to read, a rare skill at that time, and educated herself on domestic and foreign affairs.

Intent on modernising China’s culture and economy, she recognised the importance of making international trade as easy as possible, instigating changes to traditional weights and measures that enabled the creation of a standardised currency; the Chinese ‘Dragon’ Trade Dollar was born.

The last Chinese ‘Dragon’ Trade Dollar was struck in 1911. 110 years later this coin’s bold new design of a traditional mighty dragon wrapped around the globe pays tribute to the role the original coin played in Chinese international trade.

The dragon moves across the coin’s surface with fluidity and grace, the globe represented as simple gridlines with the Chinese nation standing proudly upon it, every detail emphasised by the stunning Proof finish of this 1oz gold coin.

  • FAQ

    What is the difference between maximum mintage and issue limit?
    Maximum mintage is the total number of individuals coins which will be struck, this includes coins presented is sets. The Issue limit refers to the number of coins which will be sold in the specific presentation.

    What if the maximum mintage and issue limit is the same?
    This means the coin will only be available in the presentation shown and will not be issued in any other way.

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  • Delivery & Returns

    UK Standard Delivery: £9.95
    See our delivery page for more information and overseas delivery.

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