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1 Cash - Tiansheng Yuanbao, Seal script, iron
| Issuer | Song Dynasty Imperial Mint |
|---|---|
| Year | 1023-1031 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
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| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Chinese (Seal script) |
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| Reverse description | Plain reverse with a central square perforation enclosed by a raised square inner rim. The broad, slightly uneven field between the inner and outer raised rims is blank and unadorned, showing the rough granular surface texture characteristic of cast iron Song dynasty cash coinage. The raised outer rim is well-defined and continuous. No legends, symbols, or mint marks are present on the reverse. |
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| Additional information |
Tiansheng was the reign era of Emperor Renzong, who ascended the throne as a child in 1022 under the regency of Empress Dowager Liu. The iron coinage issued under this era reflects a recurring Song fiscal pressure: chronic copper shortages, particularly in the northern and Sichuan circuits, forced regional mints to substitute iron at a government-mandated exchange rate that private traders routinely ignored.
Iron Song cash corrodes aggressively, and structurally sound survivors are far less common than the census figures for bronze issues suggest. Hartill 16.75 distinguishes this seal-script variety from the running-script issue of the same reign.