Illustrated Specimen Details: 1944 Red Fiber 5 Fen
Example Specimen: 5 fen (分), 1944
Design & Inscriptions: The obverse features a decorative flower cartouche surrounded by symbolic clouds, accompanied by the denomination 分 五 (Five fen). The reverse bears the state title 國帝洲滿 (Empire of Manchuria) and the dating 年 一十 德康 (11th year of the Kangde era). This non-metallic issue reflects the critical shortage of strategic metals at the end of WWII.
Denomination: 5 Fen
Date: 1944 (Kangde Year 11)
Material: Red fiber (Non-metallic)
Weight: 1.2 g | Diameter: 20 mm
Estimated value: 11$
DENOMINATION GUIDE — WHERE & WHEN (coins catalog: by names & emitents)
- STATE OF MANCHURIA (1933-1934) & EMPIRE OF MANCHURIA (1935-1945): 1 fen = 1/10 chiao = 1/100 yuan
- PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (1955-Present): 1 fen = 1/10 jiao = 1/100 yuan
- Various issues: Empire of China, Chinese Provinces, Chinese Soviet Republic, Republic of China, and Japanese Puppet States.
The name of the fen coin comes from a Chinese character (分) that literally translates to "part", "fraction" or "minute". In a broader economic sense, it denotes a tenth of a jiao. During the early 20th century, the fen was frequently referred to as a "cent" in English contexts.
Etymology and the Evolution of the Fen
The fen is a fractional coin denomination widely used in East Asia, originating in the monetary tradition of China. It historically functioned as a small unit of account and later as a decimal subdivision in modern currency systems. In the modern Chinese system:
- 1 yuan = 10 jiao = 100 fen
- 1 fen = 1/100 yuan
While the fen has been issued for centuries by dozens of Chinese state formations — including the Empire, Provinces, and Soviet Republics — it is most widely known today as the smallest fractional unit of the modern Chinese currency. Its conceptual origin is linked to traditional systems where 分 indicated fractional values rather than a specific coin, allowing the term to transition naturally into modern usage.
Manchukuo: The Wartime Emergency Issues
A unique chapter in the history of this denomination occurred in Manchukuo (1932-1945), a puppet state of the Empire of Japan. Under the rule of Puyi, the last Qing Emperor, the state issued coins dated by the Kangde era ("Tranquility and Virtue").
By 1944 (Year 11 of Kangde), the Japanese war effort had exhausted metal supplies. This led to the production of the famous "Red Fiber" 5 fen coins. These non-metallic issues are tangible artifacts of the economic collapse following Japan's territorial ambitions in Northeast China.
The Modern Era and People’s Republic of China
The fen was standardized between 1948-1955 with the establishment of the PRC. Modern 1, 2, and 5 fen coins were typically struck in lightweight aluminum. Their designs are characteristic of the period, featuring the national emblem, Arabic numerals, and agricultural motifs like wheat ears.
However, due to inflation and rising price levels, fen coins have largely disappeared from everyday circulation since the late 20th century. While they remain an official unit of account and legal tender, they are now rarely encountered in daily cash transactions.
Global Influence and Numismatic Value
The term fen is also used in other currencies influenced by Chinese terminology, such as the New Taiwan dollar (though not used in practice). It represents a linguistic and structural unit representing one hundredth of a base currency.
From a numismatic perspective, fen coins offer a diverse field for study. While modern aluminum issues are common, wartime emergency issues like the Manchukuo fiber coins are highly prized for their historical significance. They illustrate the continuity between traditional Chinese numerical terminology and modern decimal currency systems.
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