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5 Zhu With right rim, 'White coin' type
| Issuer | China (ancient) |
|---|---|
| Year | 585-604 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
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| Obverse description | Central square perforation surrounded by a raised square rim, flanked by two Chinese seal-script characters reading right to left: 銖 (Zhu) to the right and 五 (Wu) to the left of the central hole. The inscription is cast in relief against a flat, unadorned field. A raised outer rim encircles the coin, characteristic of the Wu Zhu cash coin tradition. The surfaces display the typical patina and casting texture of late Sui-dynasty bronze coinage. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Chinese |
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| Additional information |
The "white coin" designation refers to the lead-tin enrichment of the alloy, which gives the surface a noticeably paler cast compared to standard bronze issues. This type was produced during the Sui dynasty under Emperor Wen, who in 581 unified China after nearly four centuries of fragmentation following the collapse of the Western Jin. His monetary reforms attempted to standardize coinage across a reunified empire, but the presence of high-lead compositions throughout this period reflects ongoing difficulties sourcing consistent metal — and the persistent reality of private casting that authorities never fully suppressed.