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25 Zhu 'Spade coin', Northern dynasties, Northern Zhou
| Issuer | Northern Zhou Dynasty |
|---|---|
| Year | 561-576 |
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| Reference(s) | Hartill#13.29, FD#639, Schjoth#245 |
| Obverse description | Round cast bronze coin centred on a square perforation framed by a raised inner rim. To the left of the central hole, the character 布 (Bu, meaning 'cloth' or 'spade') is cast in relief in regular script; to the right, the character 泉 (Quan, meaning 'spring' or 'coin') appears in matching relief, together forming the two-character legend 布泉 reading right to left. The characters are rendered in a bold, archaic calligraphic style characteristic of Northern Zhou imperial coinage, with well-defined strokes. The field between the inner and outer rims is plain, and the broad outer rim is slightly raised. The surface displays a heavy olive-green and red patina consistent with prolonged burial. |
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| Mintage | ND (561-576) |
| Additional information |
The Northern Zhou 25 Zhu spade coinage belongs to one of the more cynical monetary episodes in Chinese history. The dynasty systematically debased and replaced earlier Northern Wei and Western Wei issues, issuing inflated-denomination coins — this piece tariffed at 25 Zhu — that contained a fraction of the metal implied by their face value. The strategy transferred wealth upward to the court while eroding ordinary transaction value across the Wei River basin economy.
Production is generally attributed to the reign of Emperor Wu, whose later fiscal reforms would actually reverse some of these policies after 572.