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.
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.