© Stacks Bowers
© Stacks Bowers
2 Cash - Qiandao Yuanbao; Seal script; Zheng ND
| Bronze | 5.91 g | 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 | Bronze |
| Weight | 5.91 g |
| Diameter | 29 mm |
| Shape | Round with a square hole |
| Technique | Cast |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#218455 |
|---|---|
| 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 features a unique combination of scripts, with the obverse bearing the inscription "Qiandao Yuanbao" in seal script (篆書) and the reverse featuring the character "Zheng" (正) in regular script (楷書). This blend of scripts was used during the Southern Song dynasty, and it signifies the coin's authenticity and historical significance.
