© Stephen Album Rare Coins
© Stephen Album Rare Coins
1 Cash - Chongzhen Tongbao; northern type; Chong with crescent ND
| Brass | 3.29 g | 24 mm |
| Issuer | Empire of China |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Ming dynasty › Chongzhen (崇祯帝) (1627-1644) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1630-1644 |
| Value | 1 Cash |
| Currency | Cash (621-1912) |
| Composition | Brass |
| Weight | 3.29 g |
| Diameter | 24 mm |
| Shape | Round with a square hole |
| Technique | Cast |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#222592 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
One Chinese ideogram above and crescent (facing up) below.
Script: Chinese (traditional, regular script)
Lettering: 重
Translation:
Chong
Chongqing-fu (mint)
Edge
Plain
Comment
Hartill suggests the larger, heavier coins (around 26 millimetres and weighing 1.3 Qian) were the first 1 Cash pieces produced. By 1630, coins minted in the north weighted 1.0 Qian and coins minted in the south weighed 8 Fen or less.The Northern types and the Southern types are differenciated by the left part of Zhen.
- Northern types: 礻
- Southern types: 示
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it features a unique crescent-shaped design on the reverse side, which was a new design element introduced during the Chongzhen period. This design was used to distinguish the coin from earlier versions of the cash coinage and to symbolize the unity and prosperity of the empire.
