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1 Cash - Hongwu Tongbao, Yu
| Issuer | Ministry of Revenue, Ming Dynasty |
|---|---|
| Year | 1368-1393 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | 3.78 g |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
| Orientation | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Chinese (traditional, regular script) |
| Obverse lettering | 洪武通寶 |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
| Reverse script | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Log in to see details |
| Mint | Log in to see details |
| Mintage | Log in to see details |
| Additional information |
The Hongwu reign opened with a deliberate rejection of paper currency — a remarkable stance given that the Yuan dynasty had built its entire monetary system on it. Within a decade, Zhu Yuanzhang reversed course and mandated the Da Ming Tongxing Baochao notes, actively suppressing copper cash to force paper adoption. Coins bearing this inscription were effectively demonetized by imperial decree in 1375, making the earlier bronze issues survivors of a sharp policy reversal rather than the product of any sustained minting program.
The "Yu" mint mark denotes Henan province. Hartill records considerable variation in calligraphic style across provincial outputs for this type.