© Stephen Album Rare Coins
© Stephen Album Rare Coins
3 Cash - Hongwu Tongbao; with San Qian ND
| Bronze | 10.85 g | 33 mm |
| Issuer | Empire of China |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Ming dynasty › Hongwu (明太祖) (1368-1398) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1368-1393 |
| Value | 3 Cash |
| Currency | Cash (621-1912) |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 10.85 g |
| Diameter | 33 mm |
| Shape | Round with a square hole |
| Technique | Cast |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#222088 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 94% |
Reverse
Two Chinese ideograms to the right.
Script: Chinese (traditional, regular script)
Lettering:
三
錢
Translation:
San Qian
3 Qian (weight of 3 Cash)
Edge
Plain
Comment
Casting of Hongwu coins started in 1368, but was not continuous. Large coins were discontinued in 1371, with all minting being suspended from 1375 to 1376, then again from 1387 to 1389 (that time due to a copper shortage). Minting was finally stopped again in 1393 in favour of paper money.Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it was produced during the reign of Emperor Hongwu, who was the founder of the Ming dynasty and ruled from 1368 to 1393. The coin features the inscription "Tongbao" (通寶) which means "circulating treasure" and "San Qian" (三千) which means "three thousand" referring to the denomination of the coin. The use of bronze as the material for the coin was a deliberate choice by the Emperor to promote the use of a more durable and practical material for everyday transactions, as opposed to the more valuable but less practical gold and silver coins that were also in circulation at the time.
