After doing some research, I found that these coins were issued/created in the 1890s-early 1900s. Similar to the Japanese coin of the 1870s and Korean coin of the early 1900s, they also have a dragon on one side. It was originally inspired by the Spanish silver coins and used before the creation of the Chinese Republic, during and after the Qing dynasty - the last dynasty of China. It was created by warlords and republicans who fought for power after the Qing dynasty, with each coin's value varying based on its silver content.

These silver coins were the currency used during my paternal great grandmother’s time - in the early 1900s. Her family made a living, selling rice wine which was a common job in the countrysides of China. These coins are important to my family because of its age and are considered our “treasure” which should be passed down from generation to generation as they hold the story of my ancestor's hard work and struggle to make a living. I didn't know my paternal grandmother or my father's family too well as they have either passed away when I was young or live in China. Because of this, to me, these silver coins represent a connection that I have with my paternal family and the satisfying feeling that I have knowledge of this small (otherwise, buried) piece of family history.

In the future, I hope others will see these silver coins as not just an old coin, but also a display of the diligence and hard work of our ancestors and a glimpse into the lives of the people back then who led modest lifestyles and made a honest living.

– Emily Xia

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant