10 Cash - Hongwu (Tongbao; Yu) ND (1368-1393) front 10 Cash - Hongwu (Tongbao; Yu) ND (1368-1393) back
10 Cash - Hongwu (Tongbao; Yu) ND (1368-1393) photo
© Stacks Bowers

10 Cash - Hongwu Tongbao; Yu ND

 
Bronze 22.45 g 46 mm
Description
Issuer
Empire of China
Emperor
Ming dynasty › Hongwu (明太祖) (1368-1398)
Type
Standard circulation coin
Years
1368-1393
Value
10 Cash
Currency
Cash (621-1912)
Composition
Bronze
Weight
22.45 g
Diameter
46 mm
Shape
Round with a square hole
Technique
Cast
Orientation
Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-04
References
Numista
N#222118
Rarity index
100%

Reverse

One Chinese ideogram below and value above.

Script: Chinese (traditional, regular script)

Lettering:

Translation:
Shi / Yu
10 Cash / Henan (mint)

Edge

Plain

Comment

Casting of Hongwu coins started in 1368, but was not continuous. Large coins were discontinued in 1371, with all minting being suspended from 1375 to 1376, then again from 1387 to 1389 (that time due to a copper shortage). Minting was finally stopped again in 1393 in favour of paper money.

Interesting fact

One interesting fact about the Standard circulation coin 10 Cash - Hongwu (Tongbao; Yu) ND (1368-1393) from Empire of China made of Bronze weighing 22.45g is that it was used as a form of currency during the Hongwu Emperor's reign, who was the founder of the Ming dynasty. The coin was first introduced in 1368 and was used until 1393. It was made of bronze and had a round shape with a square hole in the center. The coin was divided into 10 sub-units, each called a "cash." The coin was used for daily transactions and was also used as a form of tribute to the emperor.