1 Cash - Yuanyou Tongbao, Seal script

Yuanyou was the reign period of Emperor Zhezong, though effective power rested with Empress Dowager Gao, who governed as regent and reversed the sweeping New Policies of Wang Anshi that had defined the preceding Xining and Yuanfeng eras. The policy reversal extended to coinage administration — conservative officials reasserted tighter controls over mint output after years of aggressive monetary expansion under Shenzong.

The seal script variety of this issue was produced concurrently with running script and clerical script versions, a multi-script practice that became a hallmark of Northern Song cash production. Hartill 16.260 distinguishes several die varieties within the seal script group alone.