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1 Hua / 1 Dao State of Yan, lead
| Issuer | Yan, State of |
|---|---|
| Year | 330 BC - 220 BC |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Hua (301-220 BC) |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
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| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | 化 一 (Translation: Yi Hua / Yi Dao 1 Hua / 1 Dao) |
| Reverse description | Two archaic Chinese seal-script characters arranged vertically above and below the central square perforation, each enclosed within a raised rectangular cartouche. The upper inscription reads '化' (Hua, meaning currency or value denomination) and the lower reads '一' (Yi, meaning one), together forming 'Yi Hua' (One Hua). A mint or control character, likely '匕' or 'Ji', appears within a separate cartouche in the lower field, identifying the issuing authority of the State of Yan. The raised legends are cast in the angular, archaic script style characteristic of Warring States period Yan coinage. |
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| Additional information |
Lead knife coins from Yan are among the most unusual survivals of the Warring States period. While bronze was the dominant medium for dao coinage across the northern states, Yan periodically struck in lead — likely reflecting localized metal shortages or rapid emergency issue rather than deliberate monetary policy. These pieces circulated in the northeastern territories where Yan held dominance, a region under near-constant pressure from both rival states to the south and the Donghu peoples along the frontier.
The lead composition makes long-term survival genuinely precarious; the metal corrodes aggressively and few examples retain coherent surfaces.