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Auction: CSS86A - Chinese Banknotes and Coins
Lot: 77

Republic of Formosa, Taiwan, a government bond for 5 yuan, Guangxu 21 (1895), unifaace, green, four chop marks, two red overprints at left and right stating 'Anyone caught forging these bonds will be subject to military justice', and 'With the bond, silver pieces can be redeemed after the peace of Taiwan',
Within a few months into the First Sino-Japanese war, it has become very apparent that the Qing dynasty was losing with the capture of Port Arthur and Weihaiwei. Although most of the fighting took place at the Manchuria region in the north, it was clear the Japanese had intentions to control southern China as well. In April 1895, peace negotiations were held between the two sides in Shimonoseki and the treaty was signed. And one of the terms were China to cede to Japan the sovereignty of Taiwan and the Pescadores Islands.
When news of this peace treaty reached Taiwan, many decided to resist this transfer of rule. The Republic of Formosa was declared on the 23th May 1895. In order to raise finance, these share certificates were issued as a form of government bonds. The revered Chinese warlord Liu Yongfu from the Black Flag Army was the second president and also issued these bonds. A historically important piece with national importance. With less than a handful known, one of the scarcest Chinese government bond known. PMG 35 Choice Very Fine
A historically important piece with national importance. With less than a handful known, one of the scarcest Chinese government bond known.



光緒二十一年臺灣民主國安全公司股份票伍大員，天字第203號，綠色印刷，紅色蓋印，左右有「不法棍徒假冒股票軍法究治」、「台灣太平之後憑票領回現銀」字樣。中日甲午戰爭爆發後的幾個月內，清廷已失去旅順港及威海衛的控制權，雖然主要戰場都集中在中國北部的滿洲地區，但日本想控制中國南部的意圖亦昭然若揭。1895年4月，中日雙方舉行和談並簽訂喪權辱國的馬關條約，其中一項條款是清廷將台灣和澎湖列島的主權割讓給日本。消息傳至台灣，群情洶湧，民眾決意反抗日人的侵佔，為向國際社會展示抗議及決心，於 1895 年 5 月 25日宣布成立台灣民主國，台灣巡撫唐景崧為首任總統，以抵制及抗拒條約的執行。6月26日鎮守台南的劉永福將軍繼任民主國大總統，為籌集資金，發行股份票及官銀票，然而台灣人民仍心繫中原，無論此股份票或官銀票皆印上光緒年號。本股份票保存尚佳，獲PMG 35評分，PMG紀錄唯一獲評分的一枚，存世稀少，深具歷史意義，是已知的最稀有中國債券之一，誠可遇不可求之珍品，從收藏或研究歷史的角度皆不容錯過

Sold for
HK$350,000

Starting price
HK$80000