”Blackbirds tend to like shiny things.” ~ The Bloody Raven
The First American Trade ship to China 1784
Long before San Francisco becoming western the trade port and hub for Chinese goods and immigration and a mere few years after declaring independence a new unnamed ship was refitted for peace time trade rather than the Privateer she was intended to be.
With the Treaty of Paris in force and with sentiments still tender between England and America, trade was literally closed off between Independent America and England, her Europe allies, and the West Indies. Yet the Americans still enjoyed their tea and the initiative to trade directly with China was the obvious option.
1986 5 Yuan – The Empress of China Commemorative
On February 22nd, 1784, Washington’s birthday, The Empress of China departed New York harbor with a cargo of 30 tons of Ginseng root, a herb valued by the Chinese for its beneficial curative health and vitality properties. Other cargo included Spanish silver coins, likely the Pillar 8 Reals, lead, and linen cloth.
The voyage took a southern heading into the South Atlantic turning eastward around south Africa into the Indian ocean, through the East Indies and then north wards into the South China Sea. On August 23, 1784, the Empress of China navigated up the Pearl River into south China.
Empress of China by History Trust of S. Australia under CCO 1.0 Public Domain
- Originally built as a Privateer ship.
- Built by John Peck, Boston USA
- Launched in 1783
- Burden Tonnage 360 tons
- Full rigged ship
- Crew complement 34
- Armament; 4-6 pounder Cannons
- Original Captain John Green
- W1(see sources note.)
The Chinese we’re not familiar with Americans as they unfurled the Stars and Stripes for the first time not far along side other European and English trade ships. A Bostonian that served under General Washington, Samuel Shaw accompanied by Thomas Randall came with their cargo as business agents on a private enterprise for profit but also to establish relations as the official Representative of the newly independent United States to China.
1986 5 Yuan – The Empress of China Commemorative
The Chinese called the new people from the United States, “Flowery-Flag Devils” since the flag’s stars appeared as Chinese flowers. The Devil part has been dropped as far as my grandmother was concerned calling our southern neighbors as “Flowery-Flag” or “Faa kay” in my poor recollection of broken Cantonese.
Mr. Shaw had the privilege of showing the map of the United States of America to his trade hosts, other documents included a copy of the Declaration of Independence, Congressional letters of Treaties, and a letter from New York’s governor.
Bonus Chinese Dragon silver coin
Here's a sweet little Auction pickup last Spring.
1890-1908 Kwang-Tung 20 Fen Silver Coin
The event symbolized a milestone in trade and diplomatic beginnings between China and America. Though business is civil and cordial there were underlying tensions between the Chinese government and all the European powers with the new United States lumped in. The Consular posts were merely unilateral and were not recognized as Consulate positions with their host country.
Regardless, trade was supervised by Mr. Shaw. The Empress of China departed Canton China on December 28th,1784 with 800 Chests of Tea, 20,000 pairs of Nanking Trousers and a large quantity of porcelain.
1890-1908 Kwang-Tung 20 Fen Silver Coin
The Empress of China sailed into New York Harbor on May 25th, 1785, with fanfare sold her cargo along the east coast earning a profit of 25%, not as much as expected. But Americans learned to make money in a new era of Chinese trade and plenty of New England merchants made their fortunes in the following decades.
Considering the significance of this historical event there seems that there is no corresponding US Mint coin commemorating this milestone. If there is, please indicate in a reply in the comments below. I’d be interested in getting one to make a matched set.
Interesting footnote: President Nixon met with Chairman Mao Tse Tung on Feb 21st, 1972 on opening renewed Trade Relations with China (And gave away the US factories). Coincidence on the date? Or irony?
Are these vintage silver coins worth investing in?
With numismatics one must know the grading as well as the dynamic markets of collectable coins. I just collect what I like, and I got super lucky with the Kwang-Tung 20 FEN silver Dragon getting it at less than half the Retail value on weak midweek bidding. My intent with this coin is to build a cultural heirloom legacy for my descendants.
Thank you, Capt. Nyssacat373!💋 for another HK Colonial Silver ship gift.
Adding another Silver in my #piratesunday style stack.
Always adding Silver and Crypto to my Stack for that dark and stormy night!
The #piratesunday tag is the scurvy scheme of Captain 
References
Most are my own pictures shot with a Samsung SM-A530W
Sources
Wiki: Empress of China ship
Oxford(OUblog); Empress of Chins becomes first US ship to trade with China
Western Illinois Historical Review 2017; Voyage of the Empress of China: Private and National Interests toward Foreign Policy in the Early United States. ISSN 2153-1714 Document Pdf
Numista: 1986 5 Yuan – The Empress of China Commemorative Silver Coin
Numista: 1890-1908 Kwang-Tung 20 Fen Silver Coin
W1. This photo is claimed to be the Empress of China 1784, but with this photo dated 1875 it is rather difficult to believe this ship remained such in fine condition after 91 years of service.
The background for these photographs is a chart by Rigobert Bonne, a French Cartographer in 1780, Published in “Atlas de Torurtes les Parties Connues du Globe Terrestre, Dresse pour l’Histoire Philosphique & Politique des Establishments & du Commerce des Europeens dan les Deux Indes” by G.T. Raynad. Size 9 ½ x 16 5/8 inches.
“Et lux in tenebris to serve laboro, sum sicarius” “I work in the shadows to serve the Light, I am an Assassin.”