Numismatic Auction #20

CH'ING REBELS: Tai Ping, 1850-1864, AE cash (3.53g), H-23.42, huang di tong bao (the Emperor's coinage) on obverse and zhe on reverse, issue of the Small Swords Society (Xiao Dao Huì), cast 1854-55, Fine, RR, ex Nicholas Rhodes Collection. 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 trial and many were executed.