Fractional cash - Zhizheng Muqing Tongbao; temple coin

Features

Issuer Empire of China
Emperor Yuan dynasty › Ukhaghatu Khan "Huizong" (元惠宗) (1333-1368)
Type Token
Years 1341-1368
Value Fractional cash (½)
Currency Cash (621-1912)
Composition Bronze
Weight 2.50 g
Diameter 19 mm
Shape Round with a square hole
Technique Cast
Orientation Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized Yes
Number
N#
221674
References Hartill# 19.89
David Hartill; 2017. Cast Chinese Coins (2nd edition). New Generation Publishing, London, United Kingdom.

Obverse

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

Script: Chinese (traditional, regular script)

Lettering:
 穆
寳 銅
 清

Translation:
Mu Qing Tong Bao
Magestic Brightness (or Stately Purity) / Universal currency

Reverse

One Chinese ideogram above and one below.

Script: Chinese (traditional, regular script)

Lettering:

Translation:
Zhi Zheng
Zhizheng (4th era of Toghon Temür, 1341-1368)

Edge

Smooth.

Comments

Mu Qing is a hall in a temple in Peking, so the obverse could refer to where this type was cast.

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 (1341-1368)  Small size (around 21mm)
ND (1341-1368)  Small size; heavy type (around 4.50g)
ND (1341-1368)  Very small size (around 15mm)

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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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