100 Cash - Xianfeng Zhongbao, Je / Zhe, trial strike

The Xianfeng period mints produced experimental large-denomination cash coins in the early 1850s as the Qing treasury hemorrhaged silver suppressing the Taiping Rebellion. Trial strikes like this one — distinct from regular production pieces — were cast to test alloys and module sizes before committing to full runs. Brass was among several experimental compositions evaluated, as chronic copper shortages forced both the Board of Revenue and Board of Works mints to source substitute metals.

The Je/Zhe mint designation itself has generated debate among specialists, and Hartill's cataloguing of this specific trial variant reflects genuine uncertainty in the historical record about which supervising mint authorized it.