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1 Cash Zhouyuan Tongbao, with dot
| Issuer | Empire of China |
|---|---|
| Year | 955-959 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 1 Cash |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Chinese (traditional, clerical script) |
| Obverse lettering | 周元通寶 (Translation: Zhou Yuan Tong Bao — Zhou's inaugural currency) |
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| Additional information |
Issued under Emperor Shizong of the Later Zhou dynasty during his aggressive fiscal reforms, the Zhouyuan Tongbao replaced the chaotic mixture of Tang and Five Dynasties-era currencies still circulating in the 950s. Shizong's monetary policy was unusually centralized for the period — he ordered the melting of Buddhist temple bells and bronze statues to supply the mints, a decision that scandalized clergy and court conservatives alike.
The dot variety distinguishes this piece from the more common undotted type, a minor die feature that has generated considerable collector interest relative to its historical significance.