2 Cash - Chunxi Yuanbao, Regular script, Shu Tong, with crescent, iron

The Chunxi reign (1174–1189) of Emperor Xiaozong saw Sichuan — historically referred to as Shu — operating a semi-autonomous monetary system, producing iron cash in parallel with the bronze issues circulating elsewhere in the Southern Song empire. Iron coinage was a pragmatic response to chronic copper shortages in the region; the metal was locally abundant while copper had to be transported at considerable cost and administrative friction. The crescent mark on this piece functioned as a mint control symbol, helping officials track output and detect unauthorized casting.