5 Zhu 'Western Han' type, with half-moon

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.