1 Cash - Qianyuan Zhongbao, lead

Historical Context: This 1 Cash lead coin, identified as Hartill#15.70, was issued by the Ma Chu Kingdom between 925 and 927 AD. During the tumultuous Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, Ma Chu, founded by Ma Yin, maintained relative stability in the Hunan region. The issuance of lead coinage, particularly bearing the anachronistic "Qianyuan Zhongbao" inscription from the Tang Dynasty, reflects the economic challenges and scarcity of copper that regional kingdoms faced. Such base metal issues were often necessary for internal commerce, asserting regional monetary autonomy, and mitigating the outflow of more valuable metals.

Artistry: The design adheres to the traditional Chinese cash coin format: a round planchet with a square central hole. The obverse features the four characters "Qianyuan Zhongbao" (乾元重寶) read top-bottom-right-left, executed in a provincial calligraphic style characteristic of the Five Dynasties period. While specific engravers are unknown, the style generally exhibits less refinement than imperial issues, often displaying a more robust or even slightly crude character formation. The reverse is typically plain, as is common for this type of cash coinage, focusing all detail on the obverse inscription.

Technical/Grading: As a lead issue, this coin's technical strike qualities are often compromised. Lead's inherent softness makes it highly susceptible to wear, deformation, and environmental corrosion. High-points for assessment include the clarity of the character strokes, the definition of the inner and outer rims, and the precision of the central square hole. Strikes are frequently weak or uneven, and planchet defects such as casting voids or rough surfaces are common. The preservation of sharp detail, especially within the characters, is rare and significantly enhances a specimen's numismatic value.