Been quiet for a while and I've sorted some coins in my collection. Manchukuo coins have been somewhat underrated and prices have been steadily on the rise. Thankfully I've completed the set a while back but it still doesn't stop me from looking out for something interesting or different. Krause mentions that there is a variety for the 5 fen coin. I was skeptical until I went through a fair number of them to find it. This is a normal 5 fen coin of the same year (1936 5 fen) The next one is described as a wide rim - which should look quite obvious Now I would like to present a normal 1933 5 fen. (This is somewhat very underrated) And this is one that I found recently. If you look at the reverse, it seems that the rims are a lot narrower to any of the examples shown earlier. I personally think this is a new variety however have not seen any other examples yet. What do you think?
I don't think it's a new variety as much as just a variation from how that coin was struck. If it was a variety of rim width, both sides would show a significant difference.
Here's two examples I have in my collection. The 5 Fen coins are a bit harder to find than the 10 Fen coins, at least in my experience.
I don't see many of these around anymore. Then again I haven't been searching for coins in a while. GX, do you have any info (aside from Krause stats) on this coin?
Sorry...I don't mean to overrun this post, I just wanted to share a few of my fav coins with yall. Here's a nice design. Very magical, eh? 1 Chiao, yr 7
jlblonde - nice coins. 5 fen coins are indeed less common than 1 jiao. I personally found 5 li coins to be the most difficult in general. The later aluminum 5 fen coins (1943, 1944) are difficult as well. I completed this set a while back. It's only fifty coins but it's proven to be hair splitting. Some of the coins have already been upgraded. I am pretty sure I have a proof if not proof like 1939 1 jiao... This is also noted in Krause. I have yet to redesign this album - don't quite like it as it's too big and outdated. https://issuu.com/gxseries/docs/manchukuo_year_coin_album There is a Chinese site where the mintage of the first three years was released however this must be taken as a grain of salt. The Japanese army were known to actively pull copper and nickel coins from circulation as war metal due to the prolonged war and did pay more than face value. Aluminum coins also fell to the same fate. And back to the original topic, yes they are struck all on the same size planchet. The rim is definitely smaller. The rim on all other 5 fen (except the fat rim) are 1mm. This is slightly under 1mm. Will get around to take a photo. Personally I am under the impression that this could have only happened if the die was different. I've handled about 5 examples of this particular year and this is the first. (this year is underrated) Would be interested to handle more or see more examples.
