1 Fen - Puyi (Kangde)

The 1 Fen coin was minted in 1945 for use in Manchukuo, the puppet state established by the Empire of Japan in Northeast China. It was produced during the reign of Puyi, the last Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, who served as the nominal ruler of the state under the reign title Kangde. The design reflects the political symbolism of the era, featuring the orchid crest associated with the Manchukuo imperial house and standard regional script, intended to project an image of stability and legitimacy for a regime that lacked international recognition.

The physical composition of these late-war issues, typically struck in fiber or low-grade metallic materials, reflects the severe resource scarcity faced by the Japanese-controlled administration as World War II neared its conclusion. The coins were designed to facilitate commerce within the local economy while asserting Japanese hegemony over the region. Following the collapse of the Manchukuo state in August 1945, these coins were largely withdrawn from circulation, leaving them as enduring, somber artifacts of a complex and turbulent period in 20th-century Asian history.