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5 Zhu - Xuan Long and thin characters
| Issuer | Northern dynasties |
|---|---|
| Year | 510 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Shape | Round with a square hole |
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| Obverse description | Central square perforation surrounded by a plain raised rim on both inner and outer edges. Two Chinese characters in the seal script style are disposed vertically to the left and right of the central hole, reading right to left as 五銖 (Wu Zhu, meaning '5 Zhu'). The characters are rendered in the elongated 'Xuan Long' (slender dragon) style with notably thin strokes, a calligraphic variant characteristic of Northern Dynasties coinage of the early 6th century. The fields are flat and unadorned, with no additional decorative elements. |
|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Plain uniface reverse bearing only the raised square inner rim surrounding the central square perforation and the outer circular rim. The field is entirely blank with no inscriptions, symbols, or decorative motifs, consistent with the uniface production standard of Northern Dynasties cash coinage of this period. |
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| Additional information |
The Northern Dynasties period produced 5 Zhu coinage under conditions of fragmented political authority, with multiple competing states issuing their own bronze currency simultaneously. The "Xuan Long and thin characters" variety distinguishes itself through a specific calligraphic style of the inscription — the elongated, attenuated strokes of the characters being a recognized die characteristic rather than a design choice made centrally. Hartill documents this type as a product of the Northern Wei, whose coinage output during the early 6th century was inconsistent in both quality and weight standard as the dynasty struggled with internal rebellions.