© gros (CC BY-NC-SA)
© gros (CC BY-NC-SA)
1 Cash - Xuanhe Tongbao; Slender Gold script; Shaan; iron ND
| Iron | 3.7 g | 25 mm |
| Issuer | Empire of China |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Northern Song dynasty › Huizong (宋徽宗) (1100-1125) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1119-1125 |
| Value | 1 Cash |
| Currency | Cash (621-1912) |
| Composition | Iron |
| Weight | 3.7 g |
| Diameter | 25 mm |
| Shape | Round with a square hole |
| Technique | Cast |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#216371 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 85% |
Reverse
One Chinese ideogram above.
Script: Chinese (traditional, regular script)
Lettering: 陝
Translation:
Shaan
Shaanzhou (city)
Edge
Plain
Comment
The Slender Gold script was the personal calligraphy style of the Emperor.Hartill says these were cast in the Shaanxi region, but there are seemingly no known copper mints active at this time. With that being said, this mintmark was last used on coins from the Shaanzhou Mint, whose closing date is uncertain, so it is possible Shannzhou cast these.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it was made of iron, which was a unusual choice of material for coins at that time, as most coins were made of copper, silver or gold. The use of iron as a material for coins was likely a result of a shortage of other metals or a deliberate choice to create a distinctive currency. This fact highlights the resourcefulness and adaptability of the Empire of China in minting coins during that period.
