The Kaixi reign period (1205–1207) was among the shortest of the Southern Song dynasty, lasting only two years under Emperor Ningzong before the era name was abandoned. Song cash of this period were cast under the dual pressure of ongoing military expenditure against the Jin dynasty to the north and a chronic copper shortage that had plagued imperial mints since the mid-twelfth century. The inclusion of a reign year on the reverse — rather than a simple mint or furnace designation — reflects a Southern Song administrative practice intended to track production batches against specific fiscal years.
Hartill 17.508 distinguishes this variety from the plain Kaixi Tongbao issues on that basis alone.
The Kaixi reign period (1205–1207) was among the shortest of the Southern Song dynasty, lasting only two years under Emperor Ningzong before the era name was abandoned. Song cash of this period were cast under the dual pressure of ongoing military expenditure against the Jin dynasty to the north and a chronic copper shortage that had plagued imperial mints since the mid-twelfth century. The inclusion of a reign year on the reverse — rather than a simple mint or furnace designation — reflects a Southern Song administrative practice intended to track production batches against specific fiscal years.
Hartill 17.508 distinguishes this variety from the plain Kaixi Tongbao issues on that basis alone.