Fractional cash - Yuantong Yuanbao; temple coin

Features

Issuer Empire of China
Emperor Yuan dynasty › Ukhaghatu Khan "Huizong" (元惠宗) (1333-1368)
Type Token
Years 1333-1334
Value Fractional cash (½)
Currency Cash (621-1912)
Composition Bronze
Diameter 16 mm
Shape Round with a square hole
Technique Cast
Orientation Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized Yes
Number
N#
221672
References Hartill# 19.75a/b,
David Hartill; 2017. Cast Chinese Coins (2nd edition). New Generation Publishing, London, United Kingdom.
FD# 1770
Fubao Ding, George Albert Fisher; 1990. Fisher's Ding. G. A. Fisher, Littleton, Colorado, United States.

Obverse

Four Chinese ideograms read top to bottom, right to left.

Script: Chinese (traditional, regular script)

Lettering:
 元
寶 元
 統

Translation:
Yuan Tong Yuan Bao
Yuantong (2nd era of Toghon Temür, 1333-1334) / Original currency

Reverse

Blank (uniface).

Edge

Smooth.

Comments

During the Yuan dynasty, there was a preference for paper money and silver ingots, making actual coins scarce or rare. However, the Yuan dynasty emperors supported Buddhism, and allowed temples to cast their own statues and artifacts. These temple coins were originally cast as offerings to Buddha, but due to their metal content, they still had an intrinsic value. While they were not official issues, these were widely accepted and used as small change in the markets.

With these not being official issues, there are different diameters and weights possible. The average weights seem to be around 1/2 Cash, but smaller and larger weights exist.

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Date VG F VF XF AU UNC
ND (1333-1334)  Small size (around 18mm)
ND (1333-1334)  Very small size (around 14mm)

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Numista Rarity index: 97 Search tips
This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

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