CHINA, Republic of China. Provincial issues. Guìzhōu. 1912-1949. AR Dollar (38mm, 12h). Chéngdū mint. Dated year 17 of the Republic (AD 1928). Automobile left on roadway; below, grass arranged to spell the name Zhou Xicheng. Two leaf variety / Legend in Hànzì characters around central pearl. L&M 609; KM (Y) 428. In PCGS encapsulation 50671184, graded VF Details, repaired. Rare and popular.
The famous “Kweichow Auto Dollar” is among the most popular twentieth century coins among collectors. The obverse depicts an automobile, possibly representing the first to be imported into China, a 1926 Hudson Motors Super Six owned by the Guìzhōu warlord Zhou Xicheng. Zhou had undertaken a number of infrastructure improvements in the province, including roads and other construction projects. The grass on the obverse is arranged such that, when oriented correctly, it spells the name Zhou Xicheng.
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