I do not speak or write Chinese, but I *can* Google. I found a coin like this in the reject tray today: http://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces9221.html I got to the above URL by trying different combinations of "Chinese coin 50", then I added "yuan" to it, and eventually ended up at Numista. I know it's not worth much, but I'm curious... whose face is on the coin? And how could I find that out by myself if Numista doesn't tell me?
My guess would be Sun Yat-sen. Second-place guess: Chiang Kai-shek. Krause was a fail. NGC World Coin Price Guide was a fail. Didn't feel like "playing" on eBay. Time to play with coins...
Thanks! I'll do some more Googling unless any Chinese history experts want to pipe in... ;-) FWIW, here is Numista's page on a 50 yuan with Sun Yat-sen: http://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces35774.html Doesn't particularly look like him, but I can't find any 50 yuan coin with Chiang Kai-shek on it.
It appears to be Sun Yat Sen, 1st president of the Republic of China, and one figure that both Chinas can agree on as a hero. Even the PROC has issued commemoratives for Sun Yat Sen.
50NT is good for 2 bottles of soda or tea at any vending machine in taiwan! I personally always go for Pocari Sweat. Mmmm.
