© ollisaarinen (CC BY)
© ollisaarinen (CC BY)
2 Cash - Chunxi Yuanbao; Regular script; Tong; iron ND
| Iron | 7.53 g | 29 mm |
| Issuer | Empire of China |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Southern Song dynasty › Xiaozong (宋孝宗) (1162-1189) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1178-1179 |
| Value | 2 Cash |
| Currency | Cash (621-1912) |
| Composition | Iron |
| Weight | 7.53 g |
| Diameter | 29 mm |
| Thickness | 2.4 mm |
| Shape | Round with a square hole |
| Technique | Cast |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#140718 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 95% |
Reverse
At least one Chinese ideogram at various locations.
Script: Chinese (traditional, regular script)
Lettering: 同
Translation:
Tong
Tong'an (mint)
Edge
Plain
Comment
In 1180, numbers were added to the reverses to indicate the year of issue (which was said to reduce the amount of illegal casting). Presumably, coins without years were cast before the numbers were added.The Tong'an Mint was closed between 1174 and 1178.
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 response to a shortage of other metals, and it was a common practice in ancient China during times of economic stress.
