Here's an authentic example of a major variety of the series. Compare to the Daniel Ching piece (Y512.1). /photos/szechuan-shenzi-500-cash-219/ Note: there are many minor varieties that do not carry a premium value and most have not been documented. Minting conditions were crude in those difficult circumstances. Star to the left of date shows characteristics of a worn SMALL star type, r. star is somewhat obscured in photo. Additionally, this type is characterized by the sickle handle being located between the arms of the star (obverse), rather than crossing over it. This example is ~35 mm.
Here are a number of RARE articles on Communist Chinese Soviet coins & notes from the Moneta Library:
VIEW & DOWNLOAD:
Soviet Chinese Copper Coins ("Little Brown Book") - Hua Guangpu
Soviet Chinese Coppers - Hua Guangpu
Soviet Coins Intriguing - Hogan
Chinese Soviet Coins Intriguing - Hogan
Chinese Soviet Coins and Notes - Raeburn (1937!)
Chinese Soviet Coins and Notes - Raeburn
Chinese Communist Armies Silver Coins - Kann
Chinese Communist Armies - Kann
The premier articles on Early Chinese Soviet issues are the invaluable documents below. It covers the history, coins and notes from 1927-1935 and includes photos and a map: (with color photos; in 3 parts);
The Money of Communist China - Sandrock (3 part series)
Part I: The Money of Communist China 1927-1949 - Part I
Part II: The Money of Communist China 1927-1949 - Part II
Part III: The Money of Communist China 1927-1949 - Part III
The Comprehensive Catalog of Chinese Copper Coins ("SOVIET" extract; color illus.) - Duan
Chinese Soviet Copper Coins - Duan
At 35 mm and with a close examination of the star to the left of the date, I have changed this to Y512. The much scarcer small star type; although this may be a variety of the form shown in KM.