1 Cash - Chunxi Yuanbao; Regular script; Shu Tong; with crescent; iron ND
| Iron | - | 24 mm |
| Issuer | Empire of China |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Southern Song dynasty › Xiaozong (宋孝宗) (1162-1189) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1178-1179 |
| Value | 1 Cash |
| Currency | Cash (621-1912) |
| Composition | Iron |
| Diameter | 24 mm |
| Shape | Round with a square hole |
| Technique | Cast |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-03 |
| Numista | N#217830 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
One Chinese ideograms above, one below, and one crescent to the right.
Script: Chinese (traditional, regular script)
Lettering:
舒
同
Translation:
Shu / Tong
Shuzhou (city) / Tong'an (mint)
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 Tong'an Mint was closed between 1174 and 1178.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it features a crescent shape on one side, which is a symbol of Islam. This is significant because it suggests that the Empire of China, which was predominantly Buddhist and Taoist, had trade and cultural exchange with Islamic regions during this time period. This coin may have been used in transactions with Muslim merchants or as a token of diplomacy between the two cultures.
