Help with 1904 Hong Kong cent counterstamped with Chinese characters

[hantstoken]

Hi, I have a Hong Kong cent dated 1904 that has Chinese characters countermarked on both sides.
Does anyone know what the characters say, what was there purpose and when they date from?  - grateful for any help with this.
Thanks
Mike

[Figleaf]

The counterstamp is in the right position on photo c. It is the same on both sides. It is traditional Chinese, which is what is used in Taiwan (mainland China uses simplified characters), which may well mean nothing, as Chinese Simplified was introduced only in 1956.

義 (yi)

The character can have several meanings, ranging from honourable and righteous to bogus and artificial, so it is usually modified with another character to give it context, but not on this coin.

Peter

[FosseWay]

I believe Hong Kong tends to use the traditional characters as well. At least my Cantonese-speaking colleagues with roots in HK do.

[hackdreams]

義 means Help each other always unconditionally.

[Figleaf]

Interesting. That would add a social or economic option.

I have not found a political motivation shortly after 1904, but the counterstamp may have been applied much later, as the host coin is quite worn.

As for an economic/social motivation, co-ops were in full swing in Britain at the beginning of the 20th century. The movement reached British colonies, such as India, so it could well have played a role there.

Peter

[Figleaf]

I may have found a possible motive for the counterstamp, involving Star Ferry. Until 1972, Star Ferry was the only way to go to and from Hong Kong island by public transport. The service was economically and socially of major importance, in particular for people working on Hong Kong island and living in Kowloon, the New Territories or indeed the bordering Chinese province of Guangdong.

In 1912, Star Ferry announced it would no longer accept Chinese coins. This move was controversial and caused unrest among frequent Star Ferry users. The c/s may have been meant as a call for solidarity in the meaning given by hackdreams.

Peter