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5 Zhu - Wu Without outer rim
| Issuer | Southern dynasties |
|---|---|
| Year | 502 |
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| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Diameter | Log in to see details |
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| Reference(s) | Hartill#10.17, FD#589, Schjoth#225, Gratzer 1#B8.10 |
| Obverse description | Cast bronze cash coin featuring two Chinese seal-script characters arranged vertically flanking the central square hole, read from right to left as 'Wu Zhu' (五銖), denoting the denomination of five zhu. The characters are rendered in low relief with noticeably crude, somewhat irregular strokes characteristic of Southern Dynasties period casting. No inner or outer raised rim is present, a defining variety feature of this type. The flat field surrounding the square perforation shows mottled green and brown patination consistent with age. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
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| Edge | Plain |
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| Additional information |
The "Wu without outer rim" variant belongs to the early Liang dynasty coinage issued under Emperor Wu (Xiao Yan), who founded the Southern Liang in 502 after engineering the collapse of the Southern Qi. The absent outer rim is not damage — it is a deliberate or at minimum consistent casting characteristic of this variety, distinguishing it from the rimmed issues produced concurrently. Liang-period 5 Zhu coins are notorious for quality inconsistency across casting sites, and the rim variants documented by Hartill reflect genuine production divergence rather than simple wear.