1 Cash - Taichang Tongbao; Wanli reverse ND
1620 year| Brass | - | 24 mm |
| Issuer | Empire of China |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Ming dynasty › Taichang (明光宗) (1620) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 1620 |
| Value | 1 Cash |
| Currency | Cash (621-1912) |
| Composition | Brass |
| Diameter | 24 mm |
| Shape | Round with a square hole |
| Technique | Cast |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-03 |
| Numista | N#222267 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Four Chinese ideograms read top to bottom, right to left.
Script: Chinese (traditional, regular script)
Lettering:
萬
寶 通
曆
Translation:
Wan Li Tong Bao
Wanli (Emporer) / Universal currency
Edge
Plain
Comment
While Taichang ruled for only one month, out of pity, the succeeding emperor continued to posthumously mint his coins during the first year of his range.Interesting fact
The 1 Cash coin from the Empire of China, made of Brass and issued during the reign of Emperor Wanli (1572-1620), features a unique reverse design known as the "Tongbao" or "Wanli reverse." This design features a stylized representation of the Chinese character "wan" (meaning "ten thousand") surrounded by a circle of small dots. The use of this design was a departure from the traditional Chinese coinage design, which typically featured a square hole in the center of the coin. The Tongbao reverse design was used on coins issued during the late Ming dynasty and was meant to symbolize the emperor's authority and power.
