Collection of

Kenneth W. Dorney

 

Viewing Chinese Coinage, Han Dynasty to North & South Dynasties

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Western Han Dynasty, 300 - 280 BC
Æ18-20, .4 to .9 grams
Obverse: Ban Liang. 

References:
Hartill 7.10ff
Schjöth 86,7

Notes:
Called Yu Jia, or 'elm seed' coins, these were a degenerate private mint issue, though under authority.


Western Han Dynasty, 182 - 175 BC
Æ22, 3.7 grams
Obverse: Ban Liang Ban Liang.

References:
Hartill 7.15
FD420


Western Han Dynasty, 175 - 119 BC
Æ22, 2.9 grams
Obverse: Ban Liang.

References:
Hartill 7.16
 


Western Han Dynasty, 175 - 119 BC
Æ23, 2.5 grams
Obverse: Ban Liang. 

References:
Hartill 7.17


Western Han Dynasty, 175 - 119 BC
Æ24, 2.6 grams
Obverse: Ban Liang. 

References:
Hartill 7.32



Western Han To Xin, 1st Century BC to 1st Century AD
Æ24, 2.0 grams
Obverse: Wu Zhu.
Reverse: One stroke above, two to left.

References:
None

Notes:
The reverse of this could be interpreted as 'yi er' or vice versa. 


Western Han Dynasty, circa 113 BC & later
Æ26, 3.4 grams
Obverse: Wu Zhu.

References:
Hartill 8.8
Schjöth 115

Notes:
Bar above central hole.


Western Han Dynasty, circa 113 BC & later
Æ26, 3.9 grams
Obverse: Wu Zhu.

References:
Hartill 8.9
 


Western Han Dynasty, circa 113 BC & later
Æ26, 3.8 grams
Obverse: Wu Zhu.

References:
Hartill 8.10

Notes:
Half moon below central hole.


Han Dynasty, circa 2nd Century BC to 1st Century AD
Æ11, .5 grams
Obverse: Wu Zhu, half moon below central hole.

References:
Hartill 10.29 similar

Notes:
An interesting series of coins, it would seem that these are burial pieces.  Although dating has been something of debate, recent excavations show most of these coming from Han period tombs, indicating they at the least begin to be issued from that period.  They are always found in essentially mint state, showing that they were never intended for and were not likely ever in circulation.  these diminutive coins are commonly called 'goose eye' or 'chicken eye' coins.


Post Xin Dynasty, circa 1st Century AD & later
Æ26, 4.1 grams
Obverse: Wu Zhu.
Reverse: Three radiating lines.

References:
Hartill 10.3v

Notes:
Three lines on reverse instead of the normal four.


Song Dynasty, Emperor Xiao Wu, 454 - 464 AD
Æ19, 1.0 grams
Obverse: Xiao Jian.
Reverse: Si Zhu.

References:
Hartill 13.3


Northern Wei Dynasty, 386 - 534 AD
Æ23, 3.6 grams
Obverse: Yong An Wu Zhu.

References:
Hartill 13.23


Liang Dynasty (?), circa 6th Century AD
Æ23, 3.6 grams
Obverse: Xu Zhu.

References:
Zhongguo Guqian Daji, pp279
Zhongguo Qian Bi Da Ci Dian----

Notes:
General consensus of the community is that this is an altered coin.  I have been told that the Chinese have the ability to take ground patina and mix it with other elements and apply the mixture to a genuine coin and mould or otherwise form a new character.  Scott Semans has suggested that if I boil the coin, the false character should dissolve.  I have yet to take the time to perform this test.  If genuine, it would be one of just a few examples known.  Daji assigns it to the Six Dynasties period and says that their specimen was found in the Jiangsu area.  Dian does not date their example, but mentions that it was found in Zhedong.


Liang Dynasty, Emperor Wu, 502 - 549 AD
Æ13mm, 3.6 grams
Obverse: Da Ji Wu Zhu.

References:
None

Notes:
Another doubtful coin.  Plucked from a large group of Wu Zhu's years ago.  The first time this coin was presented to the community, all agreed it was genuine.  The second time I presented it for attribution, a number of people felt it was false.  This type is primarily known from contemporary literature as well as a mould excavated in 1935 (showing four lines radiating from the corners of the central square).  The dating and attribution of the type is contested, though odd variations of the Wu Zhu mostly appear in the North & South Dynasties period of the 5th to 6th Century AD.  It has been theorized that this type is not a coin but rather a charm of the period. 


Northern Qi Dynasty, 550 - 577 AD
Æ23, 3.6 grams
Obverse: Chang Ping Wu Zhu.

References:
Hartill 13.27



Northern Zhou Dynasty,  557 - 581 AD
Æ26, 3.9 grams
Obverse: Bu Quan.

References:
Hartill 13.29


Northern Zhou Dynasty,  557 - 581 AD
Æ26, 3.4 grams
Obverse: Wu Xing Da Bu.

References:
Hartill 13.30


Northern Zhou Dynasty,  557 - 581 AD
Æ27, 5.3 grams
Obverse: Wu Xing Da Bu.

References:
Hartill 13.30


Southern Han / Chu, 900 - 971 AD
Lead 23mm, 3.6 grams
Obverse: Kai Da Tong Bao.

References:
Hartill 15.134