⅒ Cash - Zhidao (Yuanbao; iron) ND (995-997) front ⅒ Cash - Zhidao (Yuanbao; iron) ND (995-997) back
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⅒ Cash - Zhidao Yuanbao; iron ND

 
Iron 4.89 g 22 mm
Description
Issuer
Empire of China
Emperor
Northern Song dynasty › Taizong (宋太宗) (976-997)
Type
Standard circulation coin
Years
995-997
Value
⅒ Cash (0.1)
Currency
Cash (621-1912)
Composition
Iron
Weight
4.89 g
Diameter
22 mm
Shape
Round with a square hole
Technique
Cast
Orientation
Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-03
References
Numista
N#212287
Rarity index
97%

Reverse

Blank (uniface).

Edge

Plain

Comment

During this era, the inscriptions were written by Emperor Taizong himself, who was a noted scholar and calligrapher.

Interesting fact

One interesting fact about this coin is that it was made of iron, which was a unusual choice of material for coins at that time, as most coins were made of copper, silver or gold. The use of iron in coinage was seen as a way to increase the supply of coins in circulation, as iron was a more abundant and less expensive material than the other metals. This coin was also known as the "iron cash" or "yuanbao" and was used during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127 AD) in ancient China.