1 Cash - Chongzhen (Tongbao; northern type; Zhi) ND (1630-1644) front 1 Cash - Chongzhen (Tongbao; northern type; Zhi) ND (1630-1644) back
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1 Cash - Chongzhen Tongbao; northern type; Zhi ND

 
Brass - 24 mm
Description
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
Diameter
24 mm
Shape
Round with a square hole
Technique
Cast
Orientation
Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-03
References
Numista
N#222606
Rarity index
100%

Reverse

One Chinese ideogram above.

Script: Chinese (traditional, regular script)

Lettering:

Translation:
Zhi
[Uncertain 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 the Standard circulation coin 1 Cash - Chongzhen (Tongbao; northern type; Zhi) ND (1630-1644) from Empire of China made of Brass is that it was used as a form of currency during the Chongzhen era of the Ming dynasty, which was a time of great economic and cultural growth in China. The coin was made of brass, a durable and widely available metal, and featured a unique design that included the Chinese character for "Zhi" on one side and the Tongbao symbol on the other. Despite its age, some of these coins are still in circulation today, and they are highly sought after by collectors for their historical significance and rarity.