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1 Cash - Tiansheng Yuanbao, Tin imitation
| Issuer | Malay peninsula |
|---|---|
| Year | |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Central square perforation surrounded by four Chinese characters in regular script (kaishu), arranged in clockwise reading order around the void: 天 (tiān) at top, 寶 (bǎo) at right, 元 (yuán) at bottom, and 聖 (shèng) at left, together forming the reign era inscription Tiansheng Yuanbao. The characters occupy the annular field between the central hole and the outer rim, with no inner or outer raised rims clearly defined, consistent with the relatively crude casting typical of Malay tin imitations of Song dynasty cash coins. The surface displays pronounced corrosion and granular patination across the field, reflecting the tin alloy composition and extended burial or circulation history. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Chinese (traditional, regular script) |
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| Additional information |
Tiansheng Yuanbao cash coins were produced under Emperor Renzong of the Song dynasty from 1023, but the tin imitations circulating across the Malay peninsula were locally cast by Chinese merchant communities and petty trading states filling a chronic small-denomination vacuum. Northern Malaya and Patani produced enormous quantities of these pieces, with tin being the one metal the region had in abundance. Official copper coinage from China arrived irregularly and was hoarded on arrival.