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1 Cash - Songyuan Tongbao, with dot
| Issuer | Empire of China |
|---|---|
| Year | 960-976 |
| 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 | 2.89 g |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | 宋元通寶 (Translation: Song Yuan Tong Bao — Inaugurating Song / Universal Currency) |
| Reverse description | Plain field with a central square hole framed by a raised square rim and an outer circular rim, with one or more small raised dots positioned at various locations in the field between the inner square rim and the outer rim depending on the variety. The image shows a dot above the square hole and a dot below, consistent with a two-dot variety. The reverse is otherwise uninscribed and the surface shows characteristic casting texture of Song dynasty cash coinage. |
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| Edge | Log in to see details |
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| Additional information |
The Songyuan Tongbao was the inaugural coinage of the Song dynasty, issued under Taizu following his seizure of power from the Later Zhou in 960. The dot variety — a small pellet positioned within the reverse field — is catalogued separately by Hartill precisely because such minor die distinctions were introduced deliberately or crept in through individual mint practice, and Song-era foundries were numerous enough that attribution to a specific casting site remains difficult. Taizu's reign saw an aggressive reassertion of centralized bronze cash production after decades of fragmented Five Dynasties issues.