1 Cash Zhouyuan Tongbao, with dot

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.