1 Cash - Trị Nguyên Thông Bảo, with crescent and dot

Historical Context: This 1 Cash coin, bearing the inscription Trị Nguyên Thông Bảo, originates from the tumultuous Lê Văn Khôi Rebellion (1833-1834) against the Nguyễn Dynasty's Emperor Minh Mạng. Lê Văn Khôi, a former general, seized Gia Định and declared his own reign, challenging imperial authority in southern Vietnam. These rebel issues are exceptionally significant, serving as tangible declarations of sovereignty and economic instruments for a regime actively defying the central government, reflecting a period of intense civil strife and regional fragmentation in Vietnamese history.

Artistry: The coin's design, featuring the declared reign title "Trị Nguyên Thông Bảo," reflects a pragmatic approach to coinage production during wartime. While the engraver remains anonymous, the stylistic school leans towards a vernacular, utilitarian aesthetic, likely executed by local craftsmen under rebel command. A distinctive crescent and dot symbol is incorporated into the design, a specific mint mark or possibly a symbolic device, differentiating this issue and adding to its unique historical identification amidst the broader corpus of Vietnamese cash coinage.

Technical/Grading: Struck in zinc, this coin measures 23 mm and weighs 1.87 gg. As with many rebel issues, the technical strike quality is typically crude, often exhibiting uneven strikes, weak character definition, and planchet imperfections. High-points for wear are usually the raised characters and the inner and outer rims. Zinc coinage from this era is particularly susceptible to surface degradation, crystallization, and pitting, making well-preserved examples with clear legends and intact surfaces highly desirable for collectors and historians.