© gros (CC BY-NC-SA)
© gros (CC BY-NC-SA)
2 Cash - Chunxi Yuanbao; Regular script; Tong; with year; iron
| Iron | 7.42 g | 28 mm |
| Issuer | Empire of China |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Southern Song dynasty › Xiaozong (宋孝宗) (1162-1189) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 7-15 (1180-1188) |
| Calendar | Chinese - Chunxi era |
| Value | 2 Cash |
| Currency | Cash (621-1912) |
| Composition | Iron |
| Weight | 7.42 g |
| Diameter | 28 mm |
| Thickness | 2.4 mm |
| Shape | Round with a square hole |
| Technique | Cast |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#140747 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 93% |
Reverse
One Chinese ideogram above and at least one below.
Script: Chinese (traditional, regular script)
Lettering:
同
十三
Translation:
Tong / Shi San
Tong'an (mint) / Year 13
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.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 in coinage was seen as a way to reduce the cost of production and make currency more accessible to the general population. This coin was also part of a series of currency reforms implemented by the Emperor Gaozong of the Southern Song dynasty, who ruled from 1127 to 1162, with the aim of stabilizing the economy and simplifying the monetary system.
