© Teutoburger Münzauktion
© Teutoburger Münzauktion
2 Cash - Qiandao Yuanbao; Regular script; Zheng; iron ND
| Iron | - | 29 mm |
| Issuer | Empire of China |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Southern Song dynasty › Xiaozong (宋孝宗) (1162-1189) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1170-1173 |
| Value | 2 Cash |
| Currency | Cash (621-1912) |
| Composition | Iron |
| Diameter | 29 mm |
| Shape | Round with a square hole |
| Technique | Cast |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#218521 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
One Chinese ideogram above.
Script: Chinese (traditional, regular script)
Lettering: 正
Translation:
Zheng
[Uncertain mint]
Edge
Plain
Comment
It is uncertain which mint used this mintmark. With this mintmark appearing on both iron and bronze pieces, it is possible these coins were produced at the Old Yidu Mint in Sichuan, which likely casted both compositions after it reopened in 1129.The Old Yidu Mint diffinitely casted bronze pieces, which had the mintmark Chuan for Sichuan. And with this being a Sichuan mint, it is possible this mint also produced iron pieces. While this mint's old mintmark was Chuan, that was back in 1129-1130. With that being so many years ago, they may have changed their mintmark for an uncertain reason (possibly wanting something less generic than a mark for Sichuan).
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it was made of iron, which was a unusual choice 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, and it was a common practice during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) in China.
