1 Cash - Songyuan (Tongbao; with stroke) ND (960-976) front 1 Cash - Songyuan (Tongbao; with stroke) ND (960-976) back
1 Cash - Songyuan (Tongbao; with stroke) ND (960-976) photo
© ollisaarinen (CC BY)

1 Cash - Songyuan Tongbao; with stroke ND

 
Bronze 3.30 g 25 mm
Description
Issuer
Empire of China
Emperor
Northern Song dynasty › Taizu (宋太祖) (960-976)
Type
Standard circulation coin
Years
960-976
Value
1 Cash
Currency
Cash (621-1912)
Composition
Bronze
Weight
3.30 g
Diameter
25 mm
Thickness
1.0 mm
Shape
Round with a square hole
Technique
Cast
Orientation
Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-04
References
Numista
N#135218
Rarity index
88%

Reverse

One line at various locations.

Edge

Plain

Comment

Rather than using era names, Taizu used the dynastic title Songyuan on these pieces to signify the beginning of the Song dynasty.

The exact mints of these earliest Song pieces are uncertain, as nothing this early appear in "List of Song Dynasty Mints for Iron & Tin Alloy Cash (宋代铁钱监、夹锡钱监一览表)". It is possible the mints for these pieces were all mints from previous dynasties.

Interesting fact

One interesting fact about the Standard circulation coin 1 Cash - Songyuan (Tongbao; with stroke) ND (960-976) from Empire of China made of Bronze weighing 3.30 g is that it was used as a form of currency during the Northern Song dynasty, which was a time of great economic growth and cultural achievement in China. The coin's design features a unique combination of Chinese characters and imagery, including the Tongbao symbol, which represents the imperial government, and the stroke symbol, which indicates the coin's denomination. Despite its small size and relatively low value, this coin played an important role in facilitating trade and commerce during its time in circulation.