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Iron Coins

Coins That Indicated The Devaluation of The Currency


In the long series of the Chinese coinage that has extended for more than 2000 years. Most of the coins were issued with copper, but some of them were cast with other metals, such as silver and iron or lead. I think collectors would not like the iron coins. It is because the ugly appearance of the iron coins. Actually it is difficult to obtain the iron coins in collectable condition and they are rare in comparison with those made of copper.

The use of iron coins, first appeared in Szechwan basin during the Han Dynasty, "Kungsun Shu", a local ruler who started casting iron coins "Wu-shu" and put them into circulation. [I find that copper was always too expensive in Szechwan area in the ancient China.]
During the Five Dynasties and the Sung Dynasty, the iron coins were still in use for different reasons. For example, iron coins were issued in the Shansi and Shen areas to meet vast military expenses against the Western Xia in 1040. The issuing of such coins was occasionally lasted until the ninth year of the Hsien Feng reign of the Qing Dynasty (1860AD). I have posted below 3 iron coins of Sung Dynasty, their denominations are all in three cash.





Marks of Rareness of the Collected Currencies
Extremely Rare A ~ Very Rare B ~ Rare C ~ Not So Many D ~ Common E

ObverseReverseDescription
No. 124
Diam.
31 mm
Hole Diam.
8 mm
Wt. 11.0 g.
Rareness D
Mint Evolution and Peculiarity
This coin was cast from 1111AD to 1118AD, during the period Cheng Ho of Emperor Hui Tsung of the Sung Dynasty. The legend on the obverse of this coin is written in seal script and the characters of the legend are read in the normal manner. Chinese character "Shen" on the reverse showing the mint name of Shenhsi area. I think this may be the first use of a mint name by Sung Dynasty.
ObverseReverseDescription
No. 125
Diam.
32 mm
Hole Diam.
8 mm
Wt. 11.2 g.
Rareness D
Mint Evolution and Peculiarity
This is another "Cheng Ho T'ung Pao" coin, but the legend is written in orthodox characters. A variety of calligraphic styles was commonly used in the legends of Sung Dynasty. The legend of this coin is read in the normal order.
ObverseReverseDescription
No. 126
Diam.
25 mm
Hole Diam.
8 mm
Wt. 11.6 g.
Rareness D
Mint Evolution and Peculiarity
This "Ta Kuan T'ung Pao" was cast in the period of the Ta Kuan reign (1107AD-1111AD) of Emperor Hui Tsung. The inscriptions of this coin are not so clear, but the characters punched on the obverse of this coin were written by Emperor Hui Tsung. His handwriting is very famous for featuring bold, vigorous and elegant strokes. It is known as "Shou Chin Ti" style.




- - : More about Sung cash :- -




    Bibliography

  1. Ting Fu Pao : ,(A dictionary of ancient Chinese coins), 1982.
  2. A History of Chinese Currency (16th Century BC - 20th Century AD), 1983 Jointly Published by Xinhua (New China) Publishing House N.C.N. Limited M.A.O. Management Group Ltd. ISBN 962 7094 01 3
  3. Pang Hsin Wei : The Currency History of China, 1988. ISBN7-208-00196-0/K.47



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