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300 Cash Huo Bu, iron
| Issuer | You Zhou Autonomous Region |
|---|---|
| Year | 900-914 |
| 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 | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
| Orientation | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Hartill#15.170, FD#842 |
| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Cast iron reverse of the spade-shaped bu money, exhibiting a plain rectangular head with a central circular hole. The body displays two Chinese characters in seal script (zhuanshu), reading 百三 (San Bai, 300 Cash) from right to left, rendered in low relief. The surface shows characteristic rough casting texture consistent with iron production of the Five Dynasties period, with the same splayed bifurcated foot design as the obverse. |
| Reverse script | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Plain |
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| Mintage | Log in to see details |
| Additional information |
You Zhou, centered on modern Beijing, operated as a de facto independent warlord state during the collapse of the Tang dynasty. Its ruler Liu Shouguang declared himself emperor of a short-lived kingdom called Yan in 911, only to be crushed by the Later Liang in 914. These iron cash were struck precisely because copper was too strategically valuable — hoarded, melted, or monopolized by competing powers — forcing peripheral regimes to cast in iron despite its poor durability and rapid corrosion in circulation.
Hartill 15.170 is among the scarcer you zhou iron issues to survive in attributable condition for exactly that reason.