Topic: Peoples Repulic of China Fen coins

[JTKINLA]

Hello!  I recently acquired some Coin Sets of All Nations, including a PRC set with the following Fen coins:  5 (1982) 2 (1982) and 1 (1978).  They appear to be proof quality.  The other coins (Jiao and Yuan) are dated 1981, and have some surface tarnish.  Can someone comment on the value of the set?  Thank you!

[poconopenn]

Welcome to the forum.

The valuation is about $50-70, depending on the condition of the 1981 Jiao and Yuan. 1982 Fen coins have very limited value.

[pjleung]

For the Great wall coins, only proof coin sets of 1981 to 1986 are worth investing, also, the 2 Jiao coins are worth collecting because these are the only 2 Jiao coins that China ever minted.

[ChineseCoinQuest]

Yes, there is a pecking order among the fen coins, the best known of which are the so called "Five Heavenly Kings", the 5 fen of 1979, the 5 fen and 2 fen of 1980, and the 5 fen and 1 fen of 1981. These were not minted for circulation. Instead they were packaged for sale as gifts or tourist souvenirs. I was translating a more detailed article on the top fen coins, but found myself distracted by other errands.

They are not favored in the US because of their relatively low prices. The 1980 5 fen coin in the Franklin Mint package (one of the Five Heavenly Kings), for example, sold recently for around 200 dollars. It is a pretty impressive gain over the price around $160 in the middle of last year, but a not-so-rare silver coin can easily beat the price. Why would a coin dealer bother?

The collector base of circulating coins is still growing. There is a steady demand for high grade circulating coins. However, recent label games promoted by NGC is very distracting, especially among newcomers.

Hi Frank, I was wondering if you finished translating the article you mentioned about the "Five heavenly kings"?
Thanks

[poconopenn]

This was the auction result of “five heavenly kings” NGC MS67 set on 3/28/2017 at coin001.com. The average grade for fen coin is about MS66 for mint sets and MS65 for circulated fen in original bank roll.

http://www.coin001.com/hack.php?H_name=bigauction&action=detail&aid=487&skip=1 (RMB 47,380 = US$6,965)

[ChineseCoinQuest]

Thanks for the link Poconopenn, that's quite a set. Is that set(not necessarily in those grades) a prestigious or highly desired set in China?

Also does it make a difference to collectors whether the 1981 coins are PF or MS??

Last question, is there a key date within this set?

[fwang2450]

Hi Frank, I was wondering if you finished translating the article you mentioned about the "Five heavenly kings"?
Thanks

No, I did not finish translating that article. It will have to wait till later this year.

[fwang2450]

Thanks for the link Poconopenn, that's quite a set. Is that set(not necessarily in those grades) a prestigious or highly desired set in China?

Also does it make a difference to collectors whether the 1981 coins are PF or MS??

Last question, is there a key date within this set?

Those are key dates, the Five Heavenly Kings. If the PF coins had been replaced by their MS counterparts, the set would have brought in a higher price.

[pjleung]

Wow, I wonder how many sets of these Fen coins exist in the whole country.

[poconopenn]

Also does it make a difference to collectors whether the 1981 coins are PF or MS??

 

Those are key dates, the Five Heavenly Kings. If the PF coins had been replaced by their MS counterparts, the set would have brought in a higher price.

Yes, MS 1981 1 Fen, originated from the red folder, is much more expensive than proof version.

http://www.coin001.com/hack.php?H_name=bigauction&action=detail&aid=267&skip=1 (1981 1 Fen, NGC MS67, winning bid: RMB 29754 = US$ 4,375)

[ChineseCoinQuest]

Hi all! Does anyone know if the 1956 5 Fen Bold Date is a major variety?  I see Pcgs has 1 and couldn't find any in the NGC census. I found one in my collection that I acquired a while back and overlooked, it's most likely in VF condition. I'm half tempted to send it in regardless because of the low pop numbers. Any thoughts or info is always appreciated! 

http://www.pcgs.com/pop/valueview.aspx?s=517009

[fwang2450]

Hi all! Does anyone know if the 1956 5 Fen Bold Date is a major variety?  I see Pcgs has 1 and couldn't find any in the NGC census. I found one in my collection that I acquired a while back and overlooked, it's most likely in VF condition. I'm half tempted to send it in regardless because of the low pop numbers. Any thoughts or info is always appreciated! 

http://www.pcgs.com/pop/valueview.aspx?s=517009

It is not that scarce. Recent selling prices (UNC) are around $15 a piece. Varieties are still to be explored in Chinese circulating coins.

[ChineseCoinQuest]

Thanks Frank! Wow the 1956 bold date sells for $15 in unc! I had no idea, wonder why more haven't been graded.

[fwang2450]

Thanks Frank! Wow the 1956 bold date sells for $15 in unc! I had no idea, wonder why more haven't been graded.

Here is a recent post selling the variety: http://coin001.com/read.php?tid=123190&fpage=2

Some have been graded by PCGS, but with no such variety designation.

[SANDAC]

Hi all! Does anyone know if the 1956 5 Fen Bold Date is a major variety?  I see Pcgs has 1 and couldn't find any in the NGC census. I found one in my collection that I acquired a while back and overlooked, it's most likely in VF condition. I'm half tempted to send it in regardless because of the low pop numbers. Any thoughts or info is always appreciated! 

http://www.pcgs.com/pop/valueview.aspx?s=517009

The PCGS certificated 1956 bold date is mine.  It was discussed here:  http://china-mint.info/forum/index.php?topic=1078.msg47345#msg47345  The top picture is regular date and the bottom picture is bold date.  There was some questions at the time whether bold date really exist so I submitted just for clarification.  I don't think it has much value other than as a variety reference.