Lin'an was the Southern Song capital — modern Hangzhou — and its prefecture mint was among the most active in the dynasty, producing cash coins in enormous volume to meet the demands of a sophisticated commercial economy increasingly reliant on paper money for large transactions and bronze coin for small ones. The 500-cash denomination was a convenience fiction: no such coin circulated at face value in daily use, but tally or "virtual" cash pieces served accounting and ceremonial functions within the bureaucratic financial system.
Lin'an was the Southern Song capital — modern Hangzhou — and its prefecture mint was among the most active in the dynasty, producing cash coins in enormous volume to meet the demands of a sophisticated commercial economy increasingly reliant on paper money for large transactions and bronze coin for small ones. The 500-cash denomination was a convenience fiction: no such coin circulated at face value in daily use, but tally or "virtual" cash pieces served accounting and ceremonial functions within the bureaucratic financial system.
This is a modern replica. Treat accordingly.