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1 Cash Zhouyuan Tongbao, with dot
| Issuer | Empire of China |
|---|---|
| Year | 955-959 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
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| Obverse description | Central square perforation surrounded by a raised inner rim, with four Chinese characters in clerical script (lishu) arranged in cruciform reading order: top to bottom and right to left, reading 周元通寶 (Zhou Yuan Tong Bao). The characters are boldly cast in relief within the coin's plain field, separated by the central hole, and enclosed by a raised outer rim. The style is characteristic of Five Dynasties period cash coinage issued under the Later Zhou dynasty. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Chinese (traditional, clerical script) |
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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.