China (1936) 5 li

Steve Album Auction 53, lot 4176

This specimen was lot 4176 in Steve Album Auction 53 (Santa Rosa, CA, September 2025), where it sold for $840. The catalog description^[1] noted, "CHINA: Republic, AE 5 li (1/2 cent), Central Mint, Tientsin, year 25 (1936), one year type, a fantastic mint state example! PCGS graded MS66 BN. Tied with only two other examples for highest graded at PCGS." In the late 1920's, Chiang Kai-Shek's Nationalists managed to defeat the Communists and extort professions of loyalty from most of the major warlords. He was unable, however, to stave off Japanese aggression and a new round of fighting began in 1931.

Recorded mintage: 1,789,000.

Specification: 3.52 g, bronze, 22.5 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: KM Y323, CL-MG.49.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• ^[1]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Hanbing Feng, Auction 53, featuring Selections from the Dr. Robert A. Rosenfeld, Almer H. Orr III, Dr. Dirk Loer and Joe Sedillot Collections, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2025.

Link to:

• Manchukuo TT3 (1934) 5 li
• year 25 (1936)-A 5 cents, Vienna mint
• China (1936)-A 10 cents, Vienna mint
• China (1936)-A 20 cents, Vienna mint
• Manchukuo KT3 (1936) fen
• Coins and currency dated 1936