5 Zhu - Wen Heavy type

540 year


Bronze	5.01 g	25 mm

Description

Issuer	Northern dynasties (Northern and Southern dynasties)
Emperor	Western Wei dynasty › Wen (535-551)
Type	Standard circulation coin
Year	540
Value	5 Zhu
Currency	Cash (495-579)
Composition	Bronze
Weight	5.01 g
Diameter	25 mm
Thickness	1.4 mm
Shape	Round with a square hole
Technique	Cast
Orientation	Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized	Yes
Updated	2024-10-09

References

Numista	N#20633
Rarity index	67%

Reverse

Blank (uniface).

Edge

Plain

Comment

The types with a right inner rim were either cast by the Western Wei dynasty (during the Northern dynasties) or the Sui dynasty. While those with very straight lines of Wu were originally attributed to the Sui dynasty, they were re-classified after being found in a tomb of the Western Wei. Those from the Sui dynasty have an hourglass-shaped Wu, and after 585, they are more whitish-yellow in colour due to the change in composition, adding lead and tin.

The heavier types (over 3.7 grams) are said to have been struck in Wen's Datong era (540)

Interesting fact

One interesting fact about the Standard circulation coin 5 Zhu - Wen (Heavy type) (540) from Northern dynasties (Northern and Southern dynasties) made of Bronze weighing 5.01 g is that it was used as a form of currency during a time of great cultural and economic change in ancient China. The Northern and Southern dynasties period saw the rise of Buddhism, the development of gunpowder, and the expansion of trade and commerce, among other significant events. This coin, which was minted during this time, is a tangible reminder of the economic and cultural exchanges that took place during this period in Chinese history.

Price

Date	Mintage	VG	F	VF	XF	AU	UNC
ND (540)		-	-	-	-	-	-

Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for 5 Zhu - Wen (Heavy type) (540) coin.