© ollisaarinen (CC BY)
© ollisaarinen (CC BY)
1 Cash - Chunxi Tongbao; Chun; with year; iron
| Iron | 4.83 g | 24 mm |
| Issuer | Empire of China |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Southern Song dynasty › Xiaozong (宋孝宗) (1162-1189) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 10-16 (1183-1189) |
| Calendar | Chinese - Chunxi era |
| Value | 1 Cash |
| Currency | Cash (621-1912) |
| Composition | Iron |
| Weight | 4.83 g |
| Diameter | 24 mm |
| Thickness | 2.4 mm |
| Shape | Round with a square hole |
| Technique | Cast |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#140719 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
One Chinese ideogram above and at least one below.
Script: Chinese (traditional, regular script)
Lettering:
春
十四
Translation:
Chun / Shi Si
Qichun (mint) / Year 14
Edge
Plain
Comment
In 1180, numbers were added to the reverses to indicate the year of issue (which was said to reduce the amount of illegal casting). Presumably, coins without years were cast before the numbers were added.The year 十二下 means Year 12 lower, possibly signifying the second half of year 12.
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 likely a response to a shortage of other metals, and it was a common practice in ancient China during times of economic stress.
