Chinese Soviet 1 Cent (Fen)

The 1st Congress of the Chinese Soviet proclaimed and established the "Chinese Soviet Republic" under the Chairmanship of Mao Tse-Tung. Never-the-less these are scarce and nice specimens are rare. I've updated the photo to show two examples, the bottom one with die cracks. Both examples show a small degree of clipping at around 12 o'clock. I have a third example. Duan is the only reference that indicates 3 varieties, one with a SOLID number '1,' with the other two showing differences in the Sickle blade length and width. I see other potential die varieties with one of mine (dark upper) showing a square first obverse character vs. the usual variety being more rectangular. All other references show only one type, none that I have seen have a solid '1.'

From a Steve Album auction [Sale 44 lot# 1012]: CHINESE SOVIET REPUBLIC: AE fen, ND (1932), Y-506, CL-SWA.01, original strike, issue of the Kiangsi Soviet. The Chinese Soviet Republic is often referred to in historical sources as the Jiangxi Soviet (after its largest component territory, the Jiangxi-Fujian Soviet). It was established in November 1931 by future Communist Party of China leader Mao Zedong, General Zhu De and others, and it lasted until 1937.

Here are a number of RARE articles on Communist Chinese Soviet coins & notes from the Moneta Library:
VIEW & DOWNLOAD:
Soviet Chinese Copper Coins ("Little Brown Book") - Hua Guangpu
[ link ]
Soviet Coins Intriguing - Hogan
[ link ]
Chinese Soviet Coins and Notes - Raeburn (1937!)
[ link ]
Chinese Communist Armies Silver Coins - Kann
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The premier articles on Early Chinese Soviet issues are the invaluable documents below. It covers the history, coins and notes from 1927-1935 and includes photos and a map: (with color photos; in 3 parts);
The Money of Communist China - Sandrock (3 part series)
Part I: [ link ]
Part II: [ link ]
Part III: [ link ]

The Comprehensive Catalog of Chinese Copper Coins ("SOVIET" extract; color illus.) - Duan
[ link ]