Catalog
| Issuer | Malay peninsula |
|---|---|
| Year | |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 1 Cash |
| Currency | |
| Composition | Tin |
| Weight | 1.62 g |
| Diameter | 22.1 mm |
| Thickness | 1.0 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 |
至 寶 道 元 (Translation: Zhidao (5th era of Taizong, 995-997) / Original currency) |
| Reverse description | |
| Reverse script | |
| Reverse lettering | |
| Edge | Plain |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
ND - - |
| Numisquare ID | 5253025830 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: This tin imitation of a Zhidao Yuanbao cash coin from the Malay peninsula illustrates the profound economic and cultural influence of Northern Song Dynasty China (960-1127 AD). The original Zhidao Yuanbao was issued under Emperor Taizong during his Zhidao reign (995-997 AD). Official Song cash coins were vital for regional trade. Local polities, rich in tin, produced imitations to meet domestic demands and facilitate maritime trade, underscoring Chinese currency standards' pervasive adoption in pre-modern Southeast Asia.
Artistry: The coin's design directly emulates the Northern Song Zhidao Yuanbao, featuring the four characters 至道元寶 (Zhidao Yuanbao) read top, bottom, right, left, typically in standard script. Local artisans executed the artistry for this imitation. While aiming for fidelity, these copies often exhibit variations from imperial prototypes, with potentially cruder or simplified calligraphy, reflecting local character and casting techniques, differing from sophisticated imperial Chinese minting.
Technical/Grading: This specimen, weighing 1.62 grams and measuring 22.1 millimeters, is cast in tin, a common local metal. Cast coins exhibit less crispness in legends and devices than struck issues. High-points for assessment include the raised characters and the inner and outer rims, where wear or casting defects first appear. Technical quality is evaluated by character clarity, planchet evenness, and presence of casting flaws like pitting or incomplete fills. Soft tin makes these coins susceptible to corrosion and wear.