© Ollisaarinen (CC BY)
© Ollisaarinen (CC BY)
1 Cash - Wanli Tongbao; with dot ND
| Brass | 4.62 g | 24 mm |
| Issuer | Empire of China |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Ming dynasty › Wanli (明神宗) (1572-1620) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1576-1620 |
| Value | 1 Cash |
| Currency | Cash (621-1912) |
| Composition | Brass |
| Weight | 4.62 g |
| Diameter | 24 mm |
| Shape | Round with a square hole |
| Technique | Cast |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#222133 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 90% |
Reverse
Dot at various locations.
Edge
Plain
Comment
While casting was stopped at the last emperor's death in 1572, it was resumed again in 1576 at the Peking and Nanking mints. Soon after, mints in Yunnan, Shanxi, Shandong, Henan, Shaanxi, Jiangxi, Fujian, and Huguang were also opened. However, due to poor circumstances, the Wanli coins were a failure, and by 1582, all mints except for Huguang closed. There was an attempt to open mints in 1599, including opening a Board of Works in Nanking, although so many coins were produced there that casting was cut back, and other mints were closed.Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Wanli Tongbao coin is that it was produced during a time of great economic growth and cultural flourishing in China, known as the "Prosperous Age of Wanli" (1578-1620). This period saw significant advancements in agriculture, industry, and trade, which led to an increase in the production of coins like the Wanli Tongbao. The coin's design, featuring a dot on the reverse side, was a new innovation during this time and helped to prevent counterfeiting. Despite its small size and relatively low value, the Wanli Tongbao coin played an important role in facilitating economic transactions and is now highly sought after by collectors for its historical significance and rarity.
