100 Cash - Tai Ping Bai Qian Shu, Late Type 1

Historical Context: Issued by the State of Shu during the tumultuous Three Kingdoms period (240-263 CE), this "Tai Ping Bai Qian Shu" (Great Peace Hundred Cash of Shu) coin reflects the severe economic pressures under Emperor Liu Shan. As Shu Han faced constant military expenditures and resource scarcity, the issuance of high-denomination, debased coinage became a critical, albeit inflationary, fiscal strategy. This specific type, weighing a mere 0.9 grams, starkly illustrates the profound debasement employed to finance the protracted conflict against rival states, an ironic nomenclature given the era's pervasive instability.

Artistry: Consistent with imperial minting practices of the period, no individual engraver is attributed to this issue; the artistry represents a collective stylistic tradition. The four characters, "太平百錢," are typically rendered in a refined clerical (Lìshū) script, transitioning towards early regular (Kǎishū), arranged clockwise around the central square hole. The aesthetic emphasis lies in the calligraphic precision and balance of the strokes, reflecting the enduring Han dynastic artistic heritage despite the political fragmentation and the economic expediency driving its production.

Technical/Grading: Given its extremely low weight (0.9 gg) and small diameter (19 mmmm) for a 100-cash denomination, key grading considerations include the sharpness and completeness of the four obverse characters. Collectors should prioritize examples exhibiting full, clear strokes and minimal weakness in the character details. The integrity of both inner and outer rims, often incomplete or uneven due to thin flans and hurried production, is crucial. A well-formed, centered square hole and an even, less porous flan are also desirable attributes for this debased type.