10 Cash - Qianlong Posthumous Tongbao, Boo-yuan, Ku Shi, Kucha
| Issuer | South Xinjiang |
|---|---|
| Year | 1886-1891 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 10 Cash |
| Currency | Cash (1759-1909) |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | |
| Diameter | 26 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round with a square hole |
| Technique | Cast |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | Hartill#22.421 |
| Obverse description | Four Chinese ideograms read top to bottom, right to left. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Chinese (traditional, regular script) |
| Obverse lettering |
乾 寶 通 隆 (Translation: Qian Long Tong Bao Qianlong (Emperor) / Universal currency) |
| Reverse description | One Chinese ideogram above and one below with one Manchu word to the left and to the right. |
| Reverse script | Chinese (traditional, regular script), Mongolian / Manchu |
| Reverse lettering |
庫 ᠪᠣᠣ ᡴᡠᠴᠠ 十 (Translation: Ku / Shi / Boo-yuan Kucha / 10 Cash / Kucha (mint)) |
| Edge | Smooth. |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
ND (1886-1888) - Hartill#22.421: Regular characters; medal alignment - ND (1886-1888) - Hartill#22.422: Regular characters; coin alignment - ND (1888-1891) - Hartill#22.423: Crude characters - |
| Numisquare ID | 1473421690 |
| Additional information |
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Historical Context: This 10 Cash coin, bearing the posthumous legend "Qianlong Tongbao," was issued by local authorities in Kucha, South Xinjiang, from 1886 to 1891. During the late Qing period, as central imperial control weakened, regional mints in Xinjiang frequently leveraged the prestige of revered past emperors like Qianlong. This practice lent legitimacy to local currency, highlighting the complex political landscape and assertion of regional autonomy, despite nominal Qing acknowledgment.
Artistry: The design reflects a distinctive Xinjiang numismatic tradition, blending imperial Chinese elements with local characteristics. The obverse features the "Qianlong Tongbao" inscription in Chinese. The reverse displays the Manchu "Boo-yuan" (寶源) to the left, and "Ku Shi" (庫車) in Chinese for Kucha to the right, identifying the mint. While calligraphy on these posthumous issues often exhibits a localized style compared to imperial mintages, it retains legibility and regional charm, indicative of local artisan craftsmanship.
Technical/Grading: Struck in copper, 26mm, this coin (Hartill#22.421) typically exhibits variable strike quality, common for regional issues. Key assessment areas include the clarity of the Chinese "Qianlong Tongbao" and "Ku Shi" characters, and the Manchu "Boo-yuan" script. Well-struck examples show sharp detail and a relatively even planchet. Full rim definition and minimal planchet flaws are less common; off-center strikes or weak areas are frequently encountered, reflecting minting limitations.