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5 Zhu 'Western Han' type, with half-moon
| Issuer | China (ancient) |
|---|---|
| Year | 90 BC - 9 AD |
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| Composition | Bronze |
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| Obverse description | Central square perforation surrounded by a raised square rim. To the left of the hole, the character 銖 (Zhu) is cast in relief in archaic clerical script; to the right, the character 五 (Wu, meaning 'five') appears in similar style, the two characters together reading 'Wu Zhu' (Five Zhu) from right to left as was conventional. A distinctive half-moon (crescent) mark is present in the lower field below the square hole, serving as a variety identifier. The outer rim is plain and slightly raised, and the overall patina is a deep green-blue consistent with long burial. |
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| Obverse lettering | 銖五 (Translation: Wu Zhu 5 Zhu) |
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| Additional information |
The Wu Zhu series, introduced under Emperor Wu of Han in 118 BC, became the most enduring coin type in Chinese history — variants circulated for over six centuries. This particular subtype, distinguished by a crescent or half-moon mark on the inner rim, is among dozens of catalogued die varieties that accumulated across multiple reign periods and minting authorities within the Western Han. The mark's origin remains debated: some attribute it to a specific commandery mint, others to a die-finishing practice.
Hartill 8.10 places it firmly within the later Western Han issues, a period when central control over coin production was repeatedly contested and briefly monopolized under salt-and-iron reform policies of 81 BC.