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1/2 Liang - Zhu San
| Issuer | China (ancient) |
|---|---|
| Year | 175 BC - 118 BC |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
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| Shape | Round with a square hole |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Chinese |
| Obverse lettering | 半 兩 (Translation: Ban Liang / Zhu San — Half ounce / Zhu San (personal name)) |
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| Additional information |
The ban liang coinage system had already been debased repeatedly by the time these pieces entered circulation — the original Qin-era standard of 12 zhu had collapsed entirely under the Han, and successive imperial edicts permitted private minting, flooding markets with underweight cash. This half-liang, nominally three zhu, reflects the monetary chaos of the early Western Han before Emperor Wu finally centralized coinage production and introduced the wushu in 118 BC, effectively ending the ban liang series.
Hartill 7.23 specimens frequently show casting irregularities consistent with non-imperial production during the private minting period.