Catalog
| Issuer | Malay peninsula |
|---|---|
| Year | |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 1 Cash |
| Currency | |
| Composition | Tin |
| Weight | 0.98 g |
| Diameter | 20.8 mm |
| Thickness | 0.65 mm |
| Shape | Round with a square hole |
| Technique | |
| Orientation | |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) |
| Obverse description | Four Chinese ideograms read clockwise. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Chinese (traditional, regular script) |
| Obverse lettering |
咸 寶 平 元 (Translation: Xianping (1st era of Zhenzong, 998-1003) / Original currency) |
| Reverse description | |
| Reverse script | |
| Reverse lettering | |
| Edge | Plain |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
ND - - |
| Numisquare ID | 6624538620 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: The original Xianping Yuanbao coinage was issued during Emperor Zhenzong's Xianping era (998-1003 AD) of the Northern Song Dynasty. These official Chinese cash coins circulated extensively across Asia, facilitating trade. The Malay peninsula, a vital maritime commerce hub, often lacked sufficient official coinage for local transactions. This scarcity prompted local production of imitations, frequently in base metals like tin, serving as supplementary currency or tokens within regional economies.
Artistry: This tin imitation features the standard obverse inscription "Xianping Yuanbao" (咸平元寶) read top-bottom-right-left, encircling a square central hole. Unlike the refined calligraphy of imperial Song issues, this piece exhibits characteristics typical of local production. The absence of a known engraver or specific stylistic school points to regional artisans interpreting the original Chinese design. The characters, while recognizable, often display a less precise execution, reflecting the utilitarian nature and local manufacturing techniques of these imitative issues.
Technical/Grading: Cast from tin, this 0.98 gg, 20.8 mmmm coin exhibits typical qualities of base metal imitations. Tin's low melting point and inherent softness result in less sharp details and susceptibility to wear. Technical casting qualities often include porosity, minor flaws, or planchet unevenness. High-points for detail loss are typically the raised characters and the outer rim, where the softer metal readily shows signs of circulation or production imperfections.