1919 Republic of China 20 Cents , The Three Principles of the People.

This week I resumed my research on the next three heirloom silver coins found in my Father’s old collection. These coins preceded my previous post 1929 ROC 2 Jaio Sun Yat-Sen coins. In 1919 the Republic of China existed in name only, still divided as War Lords continued to fight over power and resources, the self-appointed Emperor, General Yuan Shikai only made things worse, tumultuous and tough times for my Asian ancestors.

“Black birds tend to like shiny things.” ~ The Bloody Raven

Before writing this article I found myself pondering on whether to try the alpha.leofinance interface again. On the Long form mode, It’s been tough going and wondering if more features are now working. Last week I had to have to vote on PeakD side by side with alpha.leofinance to comment. While some page formatting now worked, some pictures that were on PeakD/Ecency didn’t show on Alpha. And my biggest pain, the Following TAB still didn’t make my search for my favorite follows any easier even if they used the Leo tags. ‘Scroll, scroll.’

And as you see, I want to torture myself. My stubbornness is my strength and weakness. Yes, I love to see the same posts three times as I scroll and scroll and scroll. My two boys now say it, “The Ravenhill’s never do things the easy way.” Now onward.

The Silver Coin

1919, Year 8 Republic of China Silver 2 Jiao,20 Cents

Obverse; Chinese Calligraphy/ beading, Rosettes Chinese Characters; 年八國民華中, 貳 幣銀 毫, 造省東廣 Translation, 8th year of the Republic of China, 2 Jiao, Minted in Kwangtung Province 0.500 Silver, Weight 5.3g Diameter 24mm, Thickness 1.5mm

Sun Yat-Sen’s Three Principals of the People

During his years of exile and travel Dr. Sun took the opportunity to gain insight into western economics and political ideology to fashion and present these concepts to the new republic. By 1919 Dr. Sun has been already back in China for a few years making the biggest sales pitch in his life.

1919, Year 8 Republic of China Silver 2 Jiao/20 Cents

Edge; Reeded. Of the three coins I have, 2 are 1919 and 1 is 1920.

First Principle; 民族主義 Nationalism, or Populism.
Not all the people in China are Chinese but a collection of ethnically diverse Asian peoples under a common nationality called China. Therefore, the objective is to unite everyone under the nation of China. The Han Chinese, Manchu Chinese, Mongolian, Muslims and Tibetans being the largest ethnic groups, those originally under the Qing’s Imperial China.

1919, Year 8 Republic of China Silver 2 Jiao/20 Cents

Reverse; 20, beading, rosettes Text; KWANG-TUNG PROVINCE, 20, TWENTY CENTS Minted in Kwangtung Province, 195,000,000 Reference #Y423

Second Principle; 民權主義 Democracy
Dr. Sun’s meaning, power into the hands of the people. The people’s ability to express their needs and wants, as well as exercise control over their democratically elected politicians in developing policy for the benefit of all. He proposes four rights; the right to vote, to propose laws, to repeal laws and to recall public leaders.

His inspiration was derived from the American government model of an Executive branch, legislative, and Judicial. Adding two additional branches; the Auditing branch to monitor and watch over the other branches to prevent corruption and an Examination branch to ensure that every civil servant will be equipped and qualified skills to assume his or her office, essentially a western model adding a Confucist’s style to the system.

Having been under Imperial rule for over three millennia Democracy was a very unfamiliar concept to the average individual. Dr. Sun knew that it will take considerable time to teach the people and gradually introduce the framework of democracy. And like most well laid plans, they don’t survive intact in the hands of his opponents like Mao Tse-tung or Successor like Chiang Kai-Shek.

1930 Central Bank of China 5 Customs Gold Units

Front; Portrait of Dr. Sun Yet-Sen, Lathwork border, Seals 行銀央中, The Central Bank of China 海上, Shanghai付即票憑, Pay on Demand 關金伍圓, Five Customs Gold Units 印年九十國民華中, Printed in the 19th Year of the Republic of China 司公票鈔國美, American Banknote Company 170mm x 80mm

Third Principle; 民生主義 Welfare of the people.
Dr. Sun believed that every citizen should have a reasonable standard of living as following; adequate clothing, food, shelter and access to health care. Therefore, the government should enact policies to meet those goals. The most intriguing ideal regarding tax revenue to fund government operations is a unique single property tax plan called Georgist developed by Henry George. A tax based on owner’s value of land. If the owner had a modest home and typical garden plot that would be taxed a fixed rate regardless of the owner’s income. Land owners having high valued land or many properties would be taxed higher. Hear that Mr. Bill ‘Land Baron’ Gates? Should the land owner declared his property too low a value he may risk the Government purchasing the land under eminent domain. And the government keeps 100% of the profit should they sell it afterwards.

1930 Central Bank of China 5 Customs Gold Units

Back; Central Bank of China, Shanghai office.Text;. Promises to Pay the Bearer on Demand at its Office here Text;. Five Customs Gold UnitsText;. Shanghai, 1930 Text;. American Bank Note CompanySignatures; Lea Tsing-yao and Tian Yimin Reference P 326

An interesting ideal formulated by Dr. Sun, it is regrettable that this governing framework never became fully implemented before his death in 1925. Nor got fully explained or vetted through legislative discussions. While the CCP or the Kuomintang can reinterpret Dr. Sun’s intentions of his principles, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s finger prints can be seen on the law books of both republics.
I’m not familiar with Taiwanese law but they have incorporated the Georgist approach to Land Taxation and reform.

Would it have worked in a new Chinese Republic and my ancestors have stayed? Too idealistic would you say? Please comment anything below.

Leo Power Up?

Yes, I did miss last months and I have 150 liquid Leo Tokens to power up this time around. ⚡ "Meow!" I'm still at kitten power.

Adding more ancestral Silver to my Stack for that big stormy day!

This should really be #worldcoinwednesday but ...The #piratesunday tag is the scurvy scheme of Captain @stokjockey for #silvergoldstackers pirates to proudly showcase their shiny booty and plunder for all to see. Landlubbers arrrh… welcomed to participate and be a Pirate at heart so open yer treasure chests an’ show us what booty yea got!

Related Posts

1929 ROC 2 Jaio Sun Yat-Sen coins.
1874 CC American Trade Dollar, Shipwreck silver of the SS Japan.
1986 China 5 Yuan The Empress Commemorative Silver Coin.
1102 – 1106 Northern Song Dynasty Bronze Coin Shipwreck coin.

References

My own pictures shot with a Samsung SM-A530W
P. Image under Pixabay
W. Wiki Commons
☠️🎃 Page Dividers by thekittygirl. ❄️🌞

Sources and Readings

Wiki; Three Principles of the people.
Numista Coins China; 1919, Year 8 Republic of China Silver 2 Jiao/20 Cents.
Numista Coins China; 1909-1911 20 Fen. 1 Mace 4.4 Candareens, Dragon coin.
Numista Banknotes China; 1930 Shanghai 5 Customs gold units.
Saltwater City, An illustrated History of the Chinese in Vancouver by Paul Yee. University of Washington Press, 1988. ISBN 0-88894-616-3
Cameo Raven Brooch from The Black Wardrobe.
Red Dragon background banner from Nyssacat’s yard.

"I’m just a gal in black, not a bloody Financial Advisor!"

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