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Fractional cash - Yanyou Yuanbao, temple coin
| Issuer | Empire of China |
|---|---|
| Year | 1314-1320 |
| Type | Emergency coin |
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| Obverse description | Cast bronze cash coin featuring a central square perforation framed by a raised inner rim. Four Chinese characters in regular script (kaishu) are disposed in the four quadrants around the central hole, read in the traditional top-bottom, right-left order: 延 (top), 祐 (right), 元 (left), 寶 (bottom), forming the reign title and denomination legend 延祐元寶 (Yanyou Yuanbao). The characters are bold and well-defined in relief against a flat field, with a raised outer rim encircling the entire obverse. The coin exhibits a characteristic green patina consistent with aged bronze. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Chinese (traditional, regular script) |
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| Additional information |
Yanyou was the reign period of Ayurbarwada, the fourth Mongol emperor of the Yuan dynasty, a ruler remembered more for his Confucian scholarship than his monetary policy. These small bronzes were not struck for circulation — they were cast as temple offerings or amulet coins, distributed in religious settings rather than commerce. The fractional denomination is nominal at best; the piece functioned as a devotional object.
Hartill 19.52 is among the scarcer Yuan temple cash types, with correspondingly low survival in collectible condition.