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Auction: CSS118B - China Banknotes and Coins
Lot: 1010

Zhong Ling Tang (Zhongling Lodge), China, banknote or membership certificate specimen / remainder, ND, four-clawed dragon design on top, 'Zhong Ling Tang' printed horizontally underneath on bamboo cloth, transposed poem in Chinese surrounding the rest of the note which is seen as the biggest clue for this note being a membership token to Zhong Ling Tang, a branch of the infamous Heaven and Earth Society. Widely believed to be issued to new recruits as part of the initiation ceremony, the design resembles traditional Chinese banknotes to look less conspicuous to casual onlookers.
Allegedly only one known example which currently resides in the Shanghai museum. This piece differs because it is either a specimen or remainder, i.e. not dated, no denomination nor serial number. The current example has a 'Tian' prefix, widely known as the first prefix among Chinese notes, while the example in the Shanghai museum has a 'Wei' prefix, which some scholars believe is linked to the location of Zhong Ling Tang. Either way, not enough examples have seen the light of day and this piece is certainly shrouded in mystery and is of great historical intrigue

Estimate
HK$2,000 to HK$5,000

Starting price
HK$2000