2 Cash - Yongli Tongbao; Grass script ND
| Bronze | 4.28 g | 28 mm |
| Issuer | Tungning Kingdom (Empire of China) |
|---|---|
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1651-1682 |
| Value | 2 Cash |
| Currency | Cash (1651-1683) |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 4.28 g |
| Diameter | 28 mm |
| Shape | Round with a square hole |
| Technique | Cast |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-03 |
| Numista | N#317993 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Blank (uniface).
Edge
Plain
Comment
While some sources suggest these coins were cast in Taiwan, Taiwanese and Japanese sources say these coins were cast in Nagasaki, Japan. Specifically looking at the Japanese Mint, they confirm there were three orders for two varieties (Seal and Running script): the first in 1651 by Zheng Chenggong, and the second and third in 1666 and 1674 by Zheng Jing (Zheng Chenggong's son).Grass script varieties are known; however, unlike the Seal and Running script varieties, the Grass script varieties are not mentioned in Japanese sources and do not have a thick reverse inner rim.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it was produced during a time of great turmoil in China, known as the "Ming-Qing transition," when the Ming dynasty was overthrown by the Manchu people, who established the Qing dynasty. Despite this upheaval, the Tungning Kingdom, which was a short-lived puppet state established by the Ming loyalists in 1662, was able to produce its own currency, such as this coin, which features the Yongli era name and the Tongbao (Grass script) characters. This coin is a rare surviving example of the currency used during this brief period in Chinese history.