Qi Xiang Emperor - Qi Xiang Tong Bao. Board of Works. 1861. While every historian knows all the Qing Dynasty emperors from Shunzhi to Xuantong (Puyi) all represented by their coins, there is actually 1 extra emperor which is uncommonly known. This is the Qixiang Emperor who's reign lasted only 69 days. However, this is also a technical enigma as this emperor didn't actually die or abdicated. In truth, he is the very same Tongzhi 同治 Emperor who succeeded the Xianfeng Emperor after his death. The reason behind this title was that upon the death of the Xianfeng Emperor, the power behind the throne rested on a powerful official named Sushun 肅順。This was the 1st regnal name adopted under his influence. However in November 1861, a palace coup led by the Dowager Empress Cixi 慈禧 and the Empress Cian 慈安 successfully seized power from Sushun and his supporters. Following this aftermath the Emperor who was an adolescent boy at the time was forced to change his title to Tongzhi to cut ties from the past. As a result, whilst Qixiang coins were minted, they did not manage to see circulation due to the short period of this reign. His Tongzhi issues were widely circulated but the true power behind the throne was the Empress Dowager Cixi. The Emperor Tongzhi Emperor however was not an impressive emperor and was notorious for his sex addiction leading to his early death from suspected Syphilis.
