China - Taiping, Small Sword Society

These were issued in the Zhejiang area like many Heaven & Earth secret society coins, but these are listed as an associated group operating late in the Tai Ping period (Small Sword Society;1858 - 64).
The Society's headquarters were in the Yuyuan Gardens of Shanghai. The organization was founded in the 1850s during the upheavals of the Taiping Rebellion by Liu Lichuan. He took the nien hao (reign title) of Tian Yun (heavenly movement). It was one of a number of rebel groups to arise during this period, either affiliated with or proclaiming support for the rebel Taiping administration. The name ("Small Swords") refers to daggers used by warriors or martial artists in close combat. It is believed to be linked to triads. The society consisted mainly of natives from Guangdong and Fujian, including Li Shaoqing, Li Xianyun and Pan Yiguo, directors of some of the huiguan or native place associations of Shanghai. Liu Lichang was killed in February 1855. Those caught in possession of these coins were sent to trail and many were executed.

OB: Tai Ping Tong bao (t,b,l,r)
RX: character 'Wen' above hole
Hartill 'Qing' #4.50; or Hartill #23.34; FD2701; Ma & Ma H62; KM C#39-3. Rare.
25.5 mm; 6.60 gm

Small Swords Society was a political and military organization active in Shanghai, China and neighbouring areas during the Taiping Rebellion.
The organization was founded in the 1850s during the upheavals of the Taiping Rebellion. It was one of a number of rebel groups to arise during this period, either affiliated with or proclaiming support for the Taiping administration. The name ("Small Swords") refers to daggers used by warriors or martial artists in close combat.
In 1853, the Society occupied the walled (Chinese) city of Shanghai, and occupied most of the Chinese sections of the city. They did not, however, invade the foreign concessions. Large numbers of Chinese refugees from surrounding areas flooded into the foreign concessions in this period, dramatically increasing the population there and giving rise to the prevalent longtang or shikumen-style housing which came to dominate Shanghai by the early 20th Century.
The Society's headquarters were in the Yu Garden of Shanghai, at the heart of the old city and today a popular tourist attraction and shopping district. There is a small museum displaying artefacts of the Society in the gardens.
Conflict broke out between the Fujian and Guangdong factions, over whether they should leave with the loot they had acquired. At first, the British and American authorities remained neutral, while the French supported the imperial government. However, some British and American sailors joined up with the Small Swords Society. When French troops were sent in to support Qing imperial troops, this caused the situation of whites fighting whites. The British and American authorities then declared the sailors' actions illegal and joined in support for the imperial armies.

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THE TWO Most Worthy Articles on the coins of the Tai P'ing Rebellion:
Money of the Kingdom of Heavenly Peace - Sandrock: [ link ]
Chinese Secret Society Coins & Tokens - Wang: [ link ]