Xinjiang Hongqian Daquan Tushuo

Author: Du Jianyi, Gu Peiyu (editors)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: March 1, 1996
Features: Hongqian is an informal term for red copper currency minted in Xinjiang during the Qing Dynasty, named after its red color. From the 25th year of the Qianlong reign (1760) to the Xuantong era, the Qing government established 12 coin mints to produce Hongqian. Additionally, the Hotan local regime during the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty minted two types of Uyghur-script Hongqian. Due to its remote location on the frontier, Hongqian rarely entered the interior, and when occasionally found, it was highly valued by collectors. However, in the 1980s of this century, due to large-scale outflows overseas, a "Hongqian" trend emerged in Japan, Southeast Asia, and the Hong Kong and Taiwan regions of China. Amidst this "Hongqian fever," numerous catalogues and collections of Hongqian were published. Mr. Chen Hongxi of Taiwan published The Catalogue of Xinjiang Qing Dynasty Coins, and Mr. Toshio Tani of Japan published The Catalogue of Xinjiang Hongqian. Influenced by this trend, Mr. Zhu Zhuopeng of Shanghai and others also published The Catalogue of Xinjiang Hongqian.
Mr. Du Jianyi and his wife, Ms. Gu Peiyu, have long resided in Xinjiang. Mr. Du is a coin collector with a particular fondness for locally minted Hongqian. Leveraging their advantageous living conditions in Xinjiang, they have dedicated themselves to collecting Hongqian tirelessly, traveling across the northern and southern ranges of the Tianshan Mountains and amassing over 100,000 coins. From these, they selected over 1,700 pieces to compile the book The Complete Illustrated Catalogue of Xinjiang Hongqian. Through years of collecting experience, Mr. Du has developed unique insights into the differentiation of Hongqian varieties and the evaluation of their grades. Thus, The Complete Catalogue not only surpasses previous works in its breadth of collected coins but also makes breakthroughs in research. The Appendix, which includes Hongqian pattern coins, counterfeit coins, and Pulu coins of the Junggar people, further aids in comparative studies of Hongqian itself.
Although Hongqian has been widely exported overseas, its place of origin is Xinjiang, China. Mr. and Ms. Du have sourced materials locally and conducted in-depth research, making their The Complete Illustrated Catalogue of Xinjiang Hongqian unparalleled among general coin catalogues. This is the defining feature of The Complete Catalogue. We hope its publication will not only provide a high-level reference for Hongqian enthusiasts but also serve as a valuable resource for historical research, particularly in the study of the Qing Dynasty and economic history.
The author of this book, Mr. Du Jianyi, is an educator in Xinjiang and also an avid collector of Hongqian. Over the years, he has endured hardships, traveled across the northern and southern ranges of the Tianshan Mountains, and gathered a vast collection of Hongqian. Together with his wife and daughter, he meticulously selected, classified, and identified variations in coin designs, often sacrificing sleep and rest in the process. His dedication has culminated in this comprehensive and groundbreaking work on Hongqian, contributing significantly to the study of Xinjiang numismatics.
I believe the key features of this book are first, the number of recorded coin varieties exceeds 1,700, far surpassing the totals listed in previous domestic and international Hongqian catalogues. All entries are supported by physical evidence, making them primary sources and rarely copied from other catalogues. It is truly a magnificent collection, offering great reference value for Hongqian research. Second, the author began by collecting and studying a large number of Hongqian, using these as a foundation to compare and integrate previous research, gradually forming his own perspectives. As a result, the book contains many original insights, challenging traditional views and expanding upon them without merely following the footsteps of predecessors. Some of his opinions, while not entirely agreed upon by me, are valuable contributions to scholarly debate and discussion. His methodical, bold, and innovative research approach is also commendable and.
Mr. Du is a member of the Xinjiang Numismatic Society, and he asked me to write the preface for this book. I consider it a highly beneficial work and feel it deserves to be recommended to a broad audience of Hongqian enthusiasts. Therefore, I am delighted to contribute this preface.