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5 Zhu 'Western Han' type, with small Wu
| Issuer | Western Han Dynasty |
|---|---|
| Year | 74 BC - 49 BC |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | 3.20 g |
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| Obverse description | Cast bronze cash coin of the Western Han Dynasty featuring a central square perforation framed by a raised inner rim. To the left of the square hole, the character 銖 (Zhu) is rendered in an archaic clerical script with a notably small upper component, characteristic of this sub-type; to the right, the character 五 (Wu) appears in its distinctive small-form variant, read right-to-left as Wu Zhu (五銖). The flat, unadorned field between the inner and outer rims is devoid of additional ornamentation, consistent with standard Western Han cash coinage. The coin displays a green and brown patina over its bronze surface, indicative of prolonged burial. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | 五銖 (Translation: Wu Zhu, 5 Zhu) |
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| Additional information |
The "small Wu" variety emerged during the reign of Emperor Xuan, who came to the throne in 74 BC after the abrupt deposition of the mentally unstable Liu He — emperor for only 27 days. Xuan's administration undertook careful monetary reforms, and subtle die variations like the reduced first character of the denomination inscription served as practical controls on output across multiple provincial mints operating simultaneously.
Hartill distinguishes this variety by the compressed upper stroke of the Wu character, a feature consistent enough across surviving examples to suggest deliberate instruction rather than engraver drift.