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2 Cash - Qiandao Yuanbao, Regular script, Tong, with crescent, iron
| Issuer | Empire of China |
|---|---|
| Year | 1170-1173 |
| 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 |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Round with a square hole |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | 乾道元寶 |
| Reverse description | Plain cast iron reverse with a central square perforation flanked by raised inner and outer rims. The mint mark character 同 (Tong, denoting the Tong'an Mint) appears in the right field in regular script, and a crescent-shaped symbol is visible in the left field, serving as a secondary identifying mark for this emission. The surface shows typical casting texture consistent with Southern Song iron cash production. |
| Reverse script | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Log in to see details |
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| Additional information |
Qiandao was the reign era of Emperor Xiaozong of Song, and iron cash production during this period reflects a chronic copper shortage that plagued the Southern Song throughout the 12th century. The regime had lost access to key copper-producing regions in the north following the Jin conquest, forcing large-scale substitution with iron coinage — a monetary stopgap that carried persistent problems, including rapid corrosion and public resistance to acceptance.
The crescent mark on this piece was a mint or furnace identifier. Hartill 17.152 places it among the Tong-script variants, a meaningful distinction given the number of concurrent casting runs across multiple Southern Song foundries during this era.