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1 Cash - Chongzhen Tongbao, northern type, with dot
| Issuer | Ministry of Revenue / Ministry of Public Works, Ming Dynasty |
|---|---|
| Year | 1630-1644 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Central square perforation surrounded by a raised square rim. Four Chinese characters in regular script (kaishu) are arranged in the traditional reading order — top, bottom, right, left — around the central aperture, forming the four-character reign title inscription. The characters are boldly cast in relief against a flat field, with a raised outer rim encircling the entire design. The overall style is characteristic of northern-type Ming dynasty cash coinage, with relatively large, well-formed characters and a pronounced inner square rim. |
|---|---|
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| Edge | Plain |
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| Additional information |
The Chongzhen reign (1627–1644) was one of the most fiscally chaotic periods in Ming history. Facing simultaneous pressure from Manchu incursions in the north and Li Zicheng's rebel armies from within, the court repeatedly debased and re-authorized cash coinage through both the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Public Works — an unusual dual-mint arrangement intended to accelerate output. The northern type reflects production centered on the Beijing foundries during this terminal phase.
The dot variety is a die-distinguishing feature cataloged separately by Hartill precisely because such minor additions were used to differentiate output batches between the two ministries. Chongzhen hanged himself on Coal Hill in April 1644 as Li Zicheng's forces entered the capital, ending the dynasty mid-issue.