A becalmed junk – an image used in the design of the 1932 ‘Sun Yat-sen Dollar’
Collection
Identifier
OH01-018
Copyright
© 2012 Charles Poolton
Notes
University of Bristol – Historical Photographs of China reference number: OH01-018. This photograph of a sea-going, becalmed junk appears to be have been used for engraving the reverse side dies of the 1932 Chinese silver dollar (one yuan). This coin featured a Chinese junk, sailing to the right, with three birds flying above the mast tops. Appearing to the right of the junk’s prow is a rising sun. On the obverse side was a portrait of Sun Yat-sen, facing left. The design of the ‘Junk Dollar’ or ‘Sun Yat-sen Dollar’ was unpopular, as the rising sun suggested Japan and the three geese, Japanese bombers. The birds and the rising sun were omitted when the coin was minted again in the following years. See OH01-019.
Related Photographs
Estimated Date
1915
Material
Paper
Media
Black and white photograph
