1 Cash - Xianfeng Tongbao; Boo-joo; with circle ND
| Brass | - | 21 mm |
| Issuer | Empire of China |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Qing dynasty › Xianfeng (咸豐帝) (1850-1861) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1851-1861 |
| Value | 1 Cash |
| Currency | Cash (621-1912) |
| Composition | Brass |
| Diameter | 21 mm |
| Shape | Round with a square hole |
| Technique | Cast |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-03 |
| Numista | N#226282 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Two Manchu words (read vertically) separated by the hole, all with circle above.
Script: Mongolian / Manchu
Lettering: ᠪᠣᠣ ᠵᠣᠣ
Translation: Boo-joo
Edge
Plain
Comment
The exact location of the 'Boo-joo' mint is unknown, although the various types of reverse symbols indicate somewhere around Yunnan, Guizhou, or Sichuan. With many symbols also beeing found on Yunnan-fu or Dongchuan coins, it is possible this is a local mintmark from the Yunnan (similar to Boo-dung).Another Boo-joo was used under Tongzhi, although that mintmark includes a dot. It is possible the dot is correcting the spelling from the Xianfeng coins, or it is an entirely different mint.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Xianfeng Tongbao coin is that it was the first coin to feature a circle-shaped hole in the center, which was a unique design element for Chinese coins at the time. This design change was introduced to make the coins easier to stack and store, and it became a distinctive feature of Chinese coins for many years to come.