Silver opium box for which two coins were used both showing the face of Yuan Shikai (1859 – 1916). General Yuan was a confidant of the dowager empress Cixi but when she passed away, he was stripped of all his offices by his opponents. Shortly after, when a revolution threatened, the throne was in need of him again and called him back. But the Qing dynasty (1644 – 1912) was coming to an end and revolutionary forces were taking over. The energetic Yuan was seen as an ideal first president and both the emperor and the provisional president in Nanjing recommended him as first president of the Republic. Yuan however considered the newly elected National Assembly (Kuomintang) as very annoying and after killing its president he first had himself appointed as president for life and then as emperor of a new dynasty (1915 – 1916). Soon widespread opposition started to challenge his new position. Yuan was forced to abdicate in 1916 and died shortly after. Many coins with his image were produced after his death even until 1935. We assume that this opium box which was made around 1920, was once owned by a supporter of Yuan. It weighs a hefty 90 grams. Height 4.3 cm. Diameter coin 3.9 cm. Diameter box 3.6 cm.