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5 Zhu 'Eastern Han' type, with radiate lines
| Issuer | China (ancient) |
|---|---|
| Year | 150-220 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Zhu (original continued, 25-618) |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | 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 | 銖五 (Translation: Wu Zhu 5 Zhu) |
| Reverse description | Uniface reverse, entirely blank save for the central square hole and its surrounding raised square rim. No inscription, decorative elements, or additional detail are present. The plain cast surface retains traces of green cuprite and bronze patina consistent with prolonged burial. |
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| Additional information |
The radiate lines variant of the Eastern Han 5 zhu represents one of the final expressions of a denomination that had anchored Chinese bronze coinage for nearly four centuries. By the late second century, central Han authority was collapsing under the pressure of warlord fragmentation, Yellow Turban uprisings, and the slow dismemberment of imperial administration that would formally end with the abdication of Emperor Xian in 220. Coinage quality deteriorated accordingly — flans thinned, copper content dropped, and regional casting introduced the kind of stylistic irregularities that distinguish late Han pieces from their crisper predecessors.
The radiate lines around the central square hole are a late typological detail, likely a casting artifact that became a recognized regional feature rather than an intentional design choice.