© Christopher Li (CC BY-NC-SA)
© Christopher Li (CC BY-NC-SA)
1 Cash - Chongzhen Tongbao; southern type; with Ba Qian ND
| Brass | - | 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 |
| Diameter | 24 mm |
| Shape | Round with a square hole |
| Technique | Cast |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#222957 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 94% |
Reverse
Two Chinese ideograms to the right.
Script: Chinese (traditional, regular script)
Lettering:
八
犭
Translation:
Ba Qian
8 Qian (supposed to be 8 Fen; weight of 1 Cash)
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; southern type; with Ba Qian) ND (1630-1644) from Empire of China made of Brass is that it was used as a form of currency during a time of great economic change in China. The Chongzhen era saw the introduction of a new currency system, which replaced the old system of cowry shells and other objects used as currency with standardized coins like this one. This coin was also unique in that it featured the Ba Qian, a symbol of the eight trigrams from the I Ching, which was a popular symbol during the Ming dynasty. Additionally, the use of brass as the material for the coin was a departure from the traditional use of copper, and it was a sign of the growing influence of foreign trade and technology in China during that time.
