1 Cash - Bảo Thái Thông Bảo, with crescent and dot

Historical Context: This 1 Cash coin, the Bảo Thái Thông Bảo with crescent and dot (Barker#67.5, Toda#75), was issued during the Bảo Thái era (1720-1729) of the Empire of Vietnam. Nominally under Emperor Lê Dụ Tông, this period saw the Lê dynasty as figureheads, with actual power residing with the Trịnh lords in the northern Đại Việt territory. These coins served as the primary circulating medium, reflecting a period of relative internal stability in the Trịnh domain, supporting daily commerce and state expenditures, before the later upheavals of the Tây Sơn Rebellion. The specific crescent and dot privy mark often indicates a particular mint or production batch within the era.

Artistry: The artistry of Bảo Thái Thông Bảo coinage, typical of Vietnamese cash issues of this era, adheres to the traditional East Asian numismatic aesthetic. Individual engravers are not recorded; rather, the style reflects a collective workshop tradition. The calligraphic rendering of the four characters "Bảo Thái Thông Bảo" (寶泰通寶) is paramount, generally executed in a legible clerical or regular script, emphasizing balance and legibility over ornate flourishes. The distinctive crescent and dot, while a critical identifier, functions as a mint or control mark rather than an artistic signature, though its precise execution contributes to the coin's overall visual integrity.

Technical/Grading: For this copper 1 Cash (2.62 gg, 24 mm), critical grading points include the sharpness and full definition of the four obverse characters, particularly the lower portions which often suffer from weak strikes. The clarity of the inner and outer rims is also important, as casting flaws and unevenness are common. Crucially, the presence, distinctness, and precise placement of the crescent and dot privy mark are paramount for confirming the specific variety (Barker#67.5). Absence of significant casting voids, a well-preserved original patina (typically dark brown to green), and minimal corrosion are also highly desirable attributes for superior examples.