Obverse. Photo © Katz Auction
  • 50 Kwacha 2004, KM# 43, Malawi, Taiwan / Republic of China, The Inauguration of the 11th President and Vice President
  • 50 Kwacha 2004, KM# 43, Malawi, Taiwan / Republic of China, The Inauguration of the 11th President and Vice President
Description

The president of the Republic of China (Taiwan) is the head of state and commander-in-chief of the ROC Armed Forces. While the role once included authority over mainland China, following the 1949 Chinese Civil War, the ROC's jurisdiction has been limited to Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu, and nearby islands. Initially a ceremonial position elected by the National Assembly, the presidency has held executive power since 1996 when direct elections began. Presidents serve four-year terms, limited to two terms.

The vice president of the Republic of China, often referred to as the vice president of Taiwan, is the second-highest constitutional office in Taiwan's government, following the president, and is first in the presidential line of succession. Annette Lu was the first female vice president and the only individual to have served two full terms in this role.

Obverse

Depicts a conjugated portrait of President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu Hsiu-lien, smiling and wearing glasses, their name on both sides of them and date below within a center enclosed by the inscription of the event in Chinese and English.

Chen Shui-bian (born 12 October 1950) is a Taiwanese former politician and lawyer who served as the 5th president of the Republic of China (Taiwan) from 2000 to 2008, becoming the first Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) president after ending the Kuomintang's (KMT) 55-year rule. Initially a lawyer, Chen entered politics during the 1980 Kaohsiung Incident, was jailed for libel in 1985, and later helped found the DPP. He was elected president in 2000 but faced declining popularity due to corruption allegations and opposition-controlled legislature. In 2009, Chen and his wife were convicted of bribery; he was granted medical parole in 2015.

Annette Lu Hsiu-lien (born June 7, 1944) is a Taiwanese politician and feminist active in the tangwai movement. She joined the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 1990 and was elected to the Legislative Yuan in 1992. Lu served as Taoyuan County Magistrate from 1997 to 2000 and was Vice President of Taiwan (Republic of China) under President Chen Shui-bian from 2000 to 2008. She announced a presidential run in 2007 but withdrew to support Frank Hsieh, and did the same in 2012 to back DPP chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen. After losing the DPP's Taipei mayoral nomination in 2018 to Pasuya Yao, Lu considered leaving the party. Despite this, she remained a DPP member when she announced her candidacy for the 2020 presidential election on behalf of the Formosa Alliance.

中華民國第十 一 屆正,副總統就職紀念
呂 副 陳 總
秀 總 水 統
蓮 統 扁
2004
Inauguration of the 11th President • Vice President of the Republic of China

Reverse

Depicts the presidential Palace facade in Taipei in the center, the denomination below it, and a small coat of arms of Malawi dividing the legend of the bank.

The Presidential Office Building in Taipei serves as the workplace of the president of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Located in the Zhongzheng District, it was designed by Japanese architect Uheiji Nagano during Taiwan's period of Japanese rule (1895–1945) and originally housed the Office of the Governor-General of Taiwan. The building sustained damage during World War II from Allied bombing but was later restored by Chen Yi, then governor-general of Taiwan Province. After the Chinese Civil War, the Republic of China relocated its capital to Taipei, and in 1950, the building became the Presidential Office. A symbol of Taiwan’s government, the Baroque-style structure is now a famous historical landmark in the city.

Malawi's coat of arms is based on Nyasaland's earlier heraldic arms. It features a shield supported by a lion and a leopard, standing on a representation of Mount Mulanje. The shield is divided into three parts: wavy lines symbolizing water, a central stripe with a lion representing strength, and a rising sun, symbolizing hope and new beginnings. Above the shield is a fish eagle in front of a rising sun, symbolizing freedom. The scroll below the shield bears the national motto, "Unity and Freedom," reflecting Malawi's goals of harmony and independence.

REPUBLIC OF CHINA
50 KWACHA
BANK OF MALAWI

Edge

50 Kwacha

Republic

Taiwan / Republic of China
The Inauguration of the 11th President and Vice President

Subscribe series
KM# 43 Schön# 66
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Bi-Metallic
Ring -
Center Gold Plated Bronze
Weight 141.21 g
Diameter 65 mm
Thickness 6 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal

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Republic, Inauguration of the 11th President

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Republic, The Inauguration of the 11th Vice President

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Bi-Metallic, 29 g, ⌀ 38 mm