Chinese Coins with Flower (Rosette) Holes
Beginning in the late Zhou Dynasty and extending through the last days of the Empire, mostChinese coins retained a familiar round shape with a square hole in the middle. As they were cast in large numbers and varieties by numerous dynastic Emperors, the square central hole coins experienced small changes such as being slightly larger, smaller, elongated, misshaped or filled with some excess metal from the casting. In general, however, these cash coins maintained a consistent appearance which made them
easily recognized as distinctively "Chinese" for more than two millennia.
A fairly small number of these coins, however, were released into circulation having holes with more of an artistic flair such as the example on the left. Instead of the same old four-sided square hole, they would have holes with"eight sides" (octagon) and, because their shape resembled flowers, the Chinese referred to them with such names as flower hole, rosette hole, or chestnut hole. Other coins would have holes with "six sides" (hexagon) and were said to have "turtle shell" holes.
Westerners sometimes refer to these coins as having "star" holes.
While some say that these coins were just the result of accidents or the incompetence of the workers casting the coins, others claim that the flower holes were intentional and have significance.
Images of a number of these coins, along with their production technique and an explanation of their significance, are presented in the sections below.
Traditional Explanation for Flower Hole Coins -- Mold Shift
easily recognized as distinctively "Chinese" for more than two millennia.A fairly small number of these coins, however, were released into circulation having holes with more of an artistic flair such as the example on the left. Instead of the same old four-sided square hole, they would have holes with"eight sides" (octagon) and, because their shape resembled flowers, the Chinese referred to them with such names as flower hole, rosette hole, or chestnut hole. Other coins would have holes with "six sides" (hexagon) and were said to have "turtle shell" holes.
Westerners sometimes refer to these coins as having "star" holes.
While some say that these coins were just the result of accidents or the incompetence of the workers casting the coins, others claim that the flower holes were intentional and have significance.
Images of a number of these coins, along with their production technique and an explanation of their significance, are presented in the sections below.
Traditional Explanation for Flower Hole Coins -- Mold Shift
Chinese Coins Cast in Clay, Stone or Bronze Molds
Unlike Western coinage which from very early times were produced by being struck from dies, Chinese coins were not produced in this manner until very late in the Qing (Ch'ing) Dynasty (1644 - 1911 AD). The very earliest Chinese coins were instead cast by means of clay, stone or bronze molds.
Ancient Chinese texts have traditionally explained the appearance of flower (rosette) holes as being the result of the two halves of the coin mold accidentally shifting during the casting process. As the molten metal was poured into the mold, if the upper and lower halves of the mold should happen to rotate or shift, the result would be a hole that would not be square.
The problem with this explanation is that not just the hole but everything, including the inscription (legend) and any other symbols on the face of the coin, would also be affected by the movement of the mold halves. Since the inscriptions and other symbols appearing on coins with flower holes are as crisp and distinct as their counterparts with conventional four-sided holes, this traditional explanation is obviously inadequate.
Ancient Chinese texts have traditionally explained the appearance of flower (rosette) holes as being the result of the two halves of the coin mold accidentally shifting during the casting process. As the molten metal was poured into the mold, if the upper and lower halves of the mold should happen to rotate or shift, the result would be a hole that would not be square.
The problem with this explanation is that not just the hole but everything, including the inscription (legend) and any other symbols on the face of the coin, would also be affected by the movement of the mold halves. Since the inscriptions and other symbols appearing on coins with flower holes are as crisp and distinct as their counterparts with conventional four-sided holes, this traditional explanation is obviously inadequate.
Chinese Coins Cast in Sand Molds
Coins with flower holes began to be commonly seen during theTang Dynasty (618 - 907 AD). By this time, hard clay, stone and metal molds were no longer being used to cast coins. (However, arecent discovery provides evidence that clay moulds were still being used at the very beginning of the Tang Dynasty to castkai yuan tong bao (开元通宝) coins.)
Instead, a method of using sand frames or trays and specially prepared "mother coins" was used. Upper and lower trays were filled with fine grain wetted casting sand. Mother coins (muqian 母钱) were placed on a lower sand tray and an upper sand tray was placed on top. When the mother coins were removed, they left an exact impression of the obverse and reverse sides on the coin. Channels were made between the coin impressions so that the molten metal would have a path to flow to all the impressions of the coins. The upper and lower trays were then tightly clamped together and the pouring of the molten metal could begin.
With this method, there was no hard mold that could shift during the casting of the coins. Flower holes must, therefore, have been created sometime after the coins were cast.
Instead, a method of using sand frames or trays and specially prepared "mother coins" was used. Upper and lower trays were filled with fine grain wetted casting sand. Mother coins (muqian 母钱) were placed on a lower sand tray and an upper sand tray was placed on top. When the mother coins were removed, they left an exact impression of the obverse and reverse sides on the coin. Channels were made between the coin impressions so that the molten metal would have a path to flow to all the impressions of the coins. The upper and lower trays were then tightly clamped together and the pouring of the molten metal could begin.
With this method, there was no hard mold that could shift during the casting of the coins. Flower holes must, therefore, have been created sometime after the coins were cast.
Characteristics of Flower Holes
The vast majority of flower (rosette) holed coins have very distinct eight-sided central holes on both the obverse and reverse sides of the coin, and have very clear inscriptions (legends), so they could not be the result of mold or sand trays shifting a few degrees during the casting process.
All eight sides (or six sides in the case of "turtle shell" holes) are contained within the coin's inner rim border surrounding the central hole. If the flower hole were a result of a mold or sand tray shift, this inside inner rim surrounding the actual hole would also display more than four sides.
Finally, the four "additional" sides form a standard-sized four-sided square that is rotated about 45 degrees from the primary square hole.
All eight sides (or six sides in the case of "turtle shell" holes) are contained within the coin's inner rim border surrounding the central hole. If the flower hole were a result of a mold or sand tray shift, this inside inner rim surrounding the actual hole would also display more than four sides.
Finally, the four "additional" sides form a standard-sized four-sided square that is rotated about 45 degrees from the primary square hole.
Additional Processing after Casting
Since flower holes could not have resulted from the casting process itself, they must have been created after the coins were removed from the molds.
Once the coins were removed from the molds, they looked like round leaves on a metal tree branch. This is because they were still connected to one another by the channel-like "branches" that allowed the molten metal to flow throughout the mold. The coins were first broken off of these"coin trees" (qianshu 钱树). Then, any excess metal that may have accidentally flowed into the center hole of the coin had to be removed with either a chisel for file. Finally, the coins were stacked onto a long metal rod. The rod was square so that once the coins, with their square center holes, were stacked onto it they could not rotate. The workers could then use a file to remove any metal sprue (stubs) from the rims that remained from the casting and to make sure the coins were round.
It was clearly during this chiseling process that the flower holes had to have been created.
Flower Holes Intentionally Created by Hand
Once the coins were removed from the molds, they looked like round leaves on a metal tree branch. This is because they were still connected to one another by the channel-like "branches" that allowed the molten metal to flow throughout the mold. The coins were first broken off of these"coin trees" (qianshu 钱树). Then, any excess metal that may have accidentally flowed into the center hole of the coin had to be removed with either a chisel for file. Finally, the coins were stacked onto a long metal rod. The rod was square so that once the coins, with their square center holes, were stacked onto it they could not rotate. The workers could then use a file to remove any metal sprue (stubs) from the rims that remained from the casting and to make sure the coins were round.
It was clearly during this chiseling process that the flower holes had to have been created.
Flower Holes Intentionally Created by Hand
The creation of the flower hole must have taken place when the mint worker was doing the final detail work on the coin. In some cases, excess metal may have flowed into the the hole cavity during the casting. This excess metal would need to be removed manually by a worker with a chisel or file.
Since the purpose of cleaning up the coin was to make it meet the required standards, it is not likely that a worker would purposely do something which would cause the coin to not meet the standards. Coins with flower holes do not have any more excess metal in their holes than coins with standard four-sided square holes. It is not likely that a worker would first clear the hole of excess metal and then "accidentally" add an additional four sides to the hole.
Since chiseling and filing by hand is time-consuming and an additional manufacturing expense, creating additional sides to the coin holes must have been ordered by those in charge of coin production.
Also, considering the high quality coinage of the Tang andSong dynasties, it is not likely that the supervisors of the mint would have permitted a large number of such "non-standard" flower-holed coins to pass quality control and be unintentionally released for circulation.
History of Chinese Coins with Flower Holes
Since the purpose of cleaning up the coin was to make it meet the required standards, it is not likely that a worker would purposely do something which would cause the coin to not meet the standards. Coins with flower holes do not have any more excess metal in their holes than coins with standard four-sided square holes. It is not likely that a worker would first clear the hole of excess metal and then "accidentally" add an additional four sides to the hole.
Since chiseling and filing by hand is time-consuming and an additional manufacturing expense, creating additional sides to the coin holes must have been ordered by those in charge of coin production.
Also, considering the high quality coinage of the Tang andSong dynasties, it is not likely that the supervisors of the mint would have permitted a large number of such "non-standard" flower-holed coins to pass quality control and be unintentionally released for circulation.
History of Chinese Coins with Flower Holes
While it may be difficult to determine when flower-holed coins first appeared, there are some well documented early contenders. Among the earliest candidates would be theban liang cast during the Qin and early Western Han Dynasties, and thehuo quan(货泉)which wascast beginning in 14 ADduring the reign ofWang Mang. During the same period, there was a variety of thehuo bu (货 布), a coinage which resembled ancient shovel or spade shaped money, that also appeared with a flower-shaped hole (please seeChinese Spade Charms). This would be about 700 years before the establishment of the Tang Dynasty.
By the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, coins with flower holes were already commonly seen in circulation. By the middle to late years of the dynasty, they were circulating throughout all parts of the empire.
Following those cast during the Tang, cash coins with flower holes continued to be produced in fairly large numbers throughout theNorthern Song (960 - 1127 AD) andSouthern Song (1127 - 1279 AD) dynasties. TheLiao Dynasty (916 - 1125 AD) based its currency design on that of the Northern Song and, as a result, there also existLiao coins with flower holes.
The production of flower-holed coins appeared to decline sharply starting about the time of the reign ofEmperor Xiao Zong (1163 - 1190 AD) of the Southern Song. This may be attributed to two major changes in coin design.
First, a tradition had began in the Northern Song to create "matched coins" (duiqian 对钱) which were varieties of a particular coin with the only difference being in the style of calligraphy of the inscription. This practice ended in 1180 AD during the reign of Emperor Xiao Zong.
Second, beginning in the 7th year of production of theChun Xi Yuan Bao (淳熙元宝) coins (1174 - 1189 AD) during the reign of Emperor Xiao Zong,thereverse side of the coins began to display the year they were cast. For example, a coin with the number "seven" (qi 七) on its reverse would have been cast in the year 1180 AD which was the same year that "matched coins" ceased production.
With coins now indicating the year of their production, there may now have been less of a need for the flower hole if one of its purposes was to somehow signify a year or place of casting.
Even after the steep decline in the production of flower-holed coins following Emperor Xiao Zong's ascension to the throne, such coins continued to appear, albeit in much smaller quantities, during the following dynasties.
By the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, coins with flower holes were already commonly seen in circulation. By the middle to late years of the dynasty, they were circulating throughout all parts of the empire.
Following those cast during the Tang, cash coins with flower holes continued to be produced in fairly large numbers throughout theNorthern Song (960 - 1127 AD) andSouthern Song (1127 - 1279 AD) dynasties. TheLiao Dynasty (916 - 1125 AD) based its currency design on that of the Northern Song and, as a result, there also existLiao coins with flower holes.
The production of flower-holed coins appeared to decline sharply starting about the time of the reign ofEmperor Xiao Zong (1163 - 1190 AD) of the Southern Song. This may be attributed to two major changes in coin design.
First, a tradition had began in the Northern Song to create "matched coins" (duiqian 对钱) which were varieties of a particular coin with the only difference being in the style of calligraphy of the inscription. This practice ended in 1180 AD during the reign of Emperor Xiao Zong.
Second, beginning in the 7th year of production of theChun Xi Yuan Bao (淳熙元宝) coins (1174 - 1189 AD) during the reign of Emperor Xiao Zong,thereverse side of the coins began to display the year they were cast. For example, a coin with the number "seven" (qi 七) on its reverse would have been cast in the year 1180 AD which was the same year that "matched coins" ceased production.
With coins now indicating the year of their production, there may now have been less of a need for the flower hole if one of its purposes was to somehow signify a year or place of casting.
Even after the steep decline in the production of flower-holed coins following Emperor Xiao Zong's ascension to the throne, such coins continued to appear, albeit in much smaller quantities, during the following dynasties.
Meaning of Flower (Rosette or Star) Holes
While it is possible that some coins with flower holes were the result of accidents by workers using chisels to clear excess metal that flowed into the hole area during casting, the large number of these coins that found their way into circulation during particularly the Tang and Song dynasties, which were renown for the high standards and quality of their coinage, would indicate that the flower hole was an intentional embellishment having important significance.
One theory is that they may have identified a location where the coins were cast. Perhaps they signified a year or time of year when a coin was cast.
Ancient coins sometimes includedstars,moons, and other symbols which are not well understood (please seeEmergence of Chinese Charms,Chinese Coins with Charm Features andCharmSymbols:Star,Moon,Cloud and Dragon). The flower hole may have served a similar symbolic function.
It is also noteworthy that the production of this type of coin decreased drastically following the end of Song "matched coins" and the requirement mentioned above that coins beginning in the year 1180 would have a number on the reverse indicating the year they were cast. If the flowered hole was serving a similar function up to this time, it may no longer have been needed after these changes.
Besides their esthetic quality, holes with eight or six sides have a special meaning to the Chinese. The Chinese word for "eight" (ba 八) has a similar pronunciation to the word to "prosper" or "wealth" (fa cai 发财). The Chinese word for"six" (liu 六) is also considered auspicious becauseits pronunciation is similar to the word "prosperity" (lu 禄).
Also, the Chinese themselves refer to these as "chestnut" (lizi 栗子) holes. "Chestnut" has the same pronunciation as "establishing sons" (li zi立子) andthus expresses the hope for having a large family.
Other Asian countries, includingKorea, Japan and Annam (Vietnam), adopted the Chinese cash coin as the model for their own coinage. The quality of these coins could vary drastically. If flower holes were the result of poor quality casting then one would expect to see flower hole coins produced in these countries as well. Yet, it is interesting to note that very, very few coins from these other countries have flower holes. This further strengthens the argument that the appearance of flower holes on Chinese cash coins must have been intentional.
Even though they are rare, flower hole coins from these other Asian countries can sometimes be found. As an example, asang pyong tong bo (Chinese:chang ping tong bao 常平通宝) coin with a flower hole that was cast in Korea by the Government Office of Pukhan Mountain Fortress in 1830 may be seen atKorean Coins.
Western Han Dynasty Coins (206 BC - 25 AD)
The inscription on this coin is read right to left asban liang (半 两).
This coin was cast during the years 186-182 BC during the reign of Empress Lu of the Western Han Dynasty and is known as a8zhu (铢)ban liang.
The coin has a very nice flower hole.
Flower holes oncoinsfrom the early Han Dynasty are very scarce. In fact, this particular coin is the earliest example of a Chinese coin with a flower hole that I have seen.
The diameter of the coin is 32 mm and the weight is 3.8 grams.
Wang Mang Coins (7 - 23 AD)
This coin is ahuo quan (货泉) which translates as "wealth coin" or "money coin".
These coins were cast beginning in the year 14 AD byWang Mang.
Thishuo quan is considered a very early example of a Chinese coin with a flower hole.
The flower hole may not be as obvious as that on the coins to follow so I have outlined the eight sides of the hole for your convenience.
The diameter of the coin is 28 mm and the weight is 2.1 grams.
The coinage of theWestern Han andEastern Han Dynasties was dominated by thewu zhu(五 铢)coin.
At the left is an example of an Eastern Hanwu zhu coin.
This coin, however, is quite remarkable in that it displays a number of special characteristics.
The coin has a very nice flower hole.
Below the square hole are three "dots" which the Chinese refer to as "stars".
Above the square hole are twovertical lines which are believed to represent the number "two", and connecting these two lines is an incused line creating what some believe is theChinese charactergong(工).
The coin has a diameter of 23.5 mm and a weight of 2.2 grams.
With the end of the Han Dynasty, China entered a period of disunity and warfare known as theThree Kingdoms.
The Kingdom of Shu was one of these Three Kingdoms and the coin at the left was cast there during the years 221-265.
The inscription istai ping bai qian (太 平百钱)which translates asTaiping (Great Peace) One Hundred Cash.
This is a small and thin specimen but one that exhibits a flower hole.
Another very distinctive variety of this coin, which reflects Daoist (Taoist) influences, can be seen atChinese Coins with Charm Features.
This coin has a diameter of 19.5 mm and a weight of only 0.7 grams.
Beginning in the 4th year (621) of theWu De reign of Emperor Gaozu, use of thewu zhu(五 铢) coinswasabolished and a new coin began to be cast with the inscriptionkai yuan tong bao (开 元 通宝).
An example of akai yuan tong bao with a well-formed flower hole is displayed here.
This new coin was a monumental change in the history of Chinese coinage because Chinese coins were now no longer named after their weight, such as"half tael" (ban liang半两) or"fivezhu" (wu zhu 五铢), but instead would have inscriptions such astong bao(通 寶),yuan bao (元 寶)andzhong bao (重 寶).
Another important change was that the coin inscription would was no longer written in the ancientzhuan shu (篆书) or "seal" script but rather inli shu (隶书) or "official" script which is a square and plain style of Chinese calligraphy.
Emperor Gaozu had one of the Tang Dynasty's most famous calligraphers, Ouyang Xun (欧阳询), write the inscription for the new coin and thesekai yuan tong bao cash coins would continue to be cast for more than 200 years.
The coin has a diameter of 25 mm and a weight of 3.1 grams.
As mentioned in the history section above, coins with flower holes started to become more commonly seen during theTang Dynasty.
This is an ordinary one cash coin with a nicely formed flower hole. The inscription readsqian yuan zhong bao(乾 元重宝) and these coins were cast during the years 759-762 of the reign of Emperor Su Zong (756-762).
The coin has a diameter of 23 mm and a weight of 3.5 grams.
The Chinese coin at the left is also aqian yuan zhong bao (乾元重宝) cast beginning in the second year (759 AD) of the Qian Yuan reign of Emperor Su Zong (756-762).
This particular specimen also has a nicely centered eight-sided flower hole.
The flower or rosette hole is clearly seen on the reverse side of the coin as well.
Please note that this coin has a double outer rim. This dual rim (chonglun 重轮) was done intentionally to indicate that the coin was equal in value to 50 ordinary cash coins.
This coin has a diameter of 35 mm and a weight of 15 grams.
The inscription on this Tang Dynasty cash coin is read clockwise asda li yuan bao (大历元宝).
The coin has a well-formed flower hole and was cast during the Dali reign (766-779) of Emperor Dai Zong.
The diameter is 22.5 mm and the weight is 2.6 grams.
Other mints subsequently produced coins of this type with a character on the reverse side indicating the prefecture where the coin was cast. For this reason, these coins are commonly referred to asHui Chang Kai Yuan (会昌开元) coins.
This is the reverse side of the coin.
If you observe closely, you will notice the Chinese characteryan (兖) just above the flower hole.
This indicates that thisHui Chang Kai Yuancoin was cast at the mint located at Yan Prefecture in Shandong.
In general, the workmanship ofHui Chang kai yuan tong baocoinsdoes not match that of thekai yuantong bao coins cast at the beginning of the Tang Dynasty.
The diameter of this coin is 24 mm and the weight is 3.1 grams.
Following the Tang Dynasty, South China was ruled during the years 907-960 by theFive Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms.
This coin was cast in the year 917 which was the first year of the Tian Han reign ofKing Wang Jian (907-918) of the Former Shu (First Shu) Kingdom (907-925).
The inscription is read clockwise astian han yuan bao (天汉元宝).
This coin, with a prominent flowerhole, was cast during the reign ofWang Yan (919-925), the son of Wang Jian, of the Former Shu Kingdom.
The inscription reads clockwise asqiande yuan bao (乾德元宝).
These coins were cast during the years 919-924.
The diameter is 23.8 mm and the weight is 3.1 grams.
This is one of the earliest examples of aNorthern Song Dynasty coin with a flower hole.
The inscription is written in running script and is read clockwise aszhi dao yuan bao (至道元宝).
The coin was cast during the years 995-997 of the reign ofEmperor Tai Zong (976-997).
The diameter is 25 mm and the weight is 3.5 grams.
Northern Song cash coins tend to be finely cast as illustrated by this coin with its deep characters.
The inscription reads clockwise, beginning at the top, asjing de yuan bao (景德元宝) and is written in regular script.
This coin with a flower hole was cast during the years 1004-1007 of the reign ofEmperor Zhen Zong (998-1022).
The diameter is 25.9 mm and the weight is 3.7 grams.
This coin with a flower hole was cast during the years 1008-1016 of the reign of Emperor Zhen Zong (998-1022) of the Northern Song.
The inscription is read clockwise asxiang fu yuan bao (样符元宝) and is written in regular script.
The diameter is 25 mm and the weight is 3.5 grams.
This Northern Song coin with a flower hole was cast during the years 1017-1022 in the reign of Emperor Zhen Zong (998-1022).
The inscription is read clockwise, starting with the top character, astian xi tong bao (天禧通宝) and is written in regular script.
The coin is 25 mm in diameter and weighs 3.5 grams.
The inscription on this Northern Song coin is read clockwise astian sheng yuan bao (天圣元宝) and is written in regular script.
This coin with a flower hole was minted during the years 1023-1031 of the reign ofEmperorRen Zong (1022-1063).
The diameter is 24.5 mm and the weight is 2.6 grams.
This particular Northern Song dynasty coin was only cast in the years 1032-1033 during the reign of Emperor Ren Zong (1022-1063).
The inscription is written in regular script and is read clockwise, beginning at the top, asming dao yuan bao (明道元宝).
This specimen has a flower (rosette) hole.
The coin has a diameter of 26 mm and weighs 4.2 grams.
During the years 1039-1054 of Emperor Ren Zong's reign, coins with the inscriptionhuang song tong bao (皇宋通宝) were cast.
In this example, the inscription is read top to bottom and right to left.
The inscription is written in seal script and the coin has a flower hole.
The diameter is 25 mm and the weight is 3.5 grams.
This coin from Emperor Ren Zong was cast during 1054-1055.
The inscription iszhi he tong bao (至 和通宝) and is written in regular script.
The coin displays a very nice flower or rosette hole.
The diameter is 25 mm and the weight is 3.6 grams.
The inscription (legend) on this cash coin is alsozhi he tong bao (至和通宝) but it is written in seal script.
This coin was also cast during the years 1054-1055 of the reign of Song Dynasty Emperor Ren Zong.
The coin has a diameter of 25 mm and a weight of 3.4 grams.
This coin was also cast during the reign of Emperor Ren Zong.
The inscription (legend), written in seal script, isjia you tong bao (
The diameter is 24.8 mm and the weight is 3.3 grams.
Emperor Ying Zong reigned during the years 1064-1067.
This coin has the inscription (legend)zhi ping yuan bao(治平元宝) written in a beautiful seal script.
It was cast during the entire period of Emperor Ying Zong's rule.
The coin has a diameter of 24 mm and a weight of 3.5 grams.
This cash coin was also cast during the years 1064-1067 of Emperor Ying Zong's reign.
The coin has the samezhi ping yuan bao (治平元宝) inscription but, in this case, is written in regular script.
The diameter is 24 mm and the weight is 4 grams.
This is another cash coin cast during the Zhi Ping reign of Emperor Ying Zong.
In this case, however, the inscription iszhi ping tong bao (治平通宝) written in seal script.
These coins were cast in the years 1064-1067.
The coin is distinctive in that the character (ping平), located below the square hole, is written with three strokes at the bottom instead of one.
The diameter is 24.7 mm and the weight is 4.1 grams.
The reign ofEmperor Shen Zong (1068-1085) of the Northern Song included the casting of coinage with the inscriptionxi ning yuan bao (熙宁元宝) during the years 1068-1077.
This is a variety of such a coin which happens to have a flower hole.
The inscription is written in regular script and is read clockwise.
The coin has a diameter of 24.5 mm.
The coin is thicker than most Song dynasty coins of this size which explains its weight of 5.5 grams.
At the left is another "flower hole" coin with the samexi ning tong bao (熙 宁元宝) inscription.
This inscription, however, is written in seal script.
Coins with this style of calligraphy were cast during the years 1068-1077 of the reign of Emperor Shen Zong.
The diameter is 24.5 mm and the weight is 3.8 grams.
Beginning in the year 1071, larger denomination coins, initially valued at 10 cash coins each, were produced. These coins were issued during the reign of Emperor Shen Zong to pay for military expenses.
The coin at the left is one of these larger cash coins with this particular specimen displaying a flower (rosette) hole.
The inscription readsxi ning zhong bao (熙宁重宝) and is written in seal script.
These coins were gradually devalued to be equal to 3 cash coins and finally to 2 cash coins.
Casting ofxi ning zhong baocoins ceased in 1077.
The diameter of this coin is 29 mm and the weight is 8 grams.
Similar to the above large cash coin, this is anotherxi ning zhong bao (熙宁重宝) but one which is written in regular script.
This coin was also cast during the years 1071-1077 of the reign of Emperor Shen Zong.
The coin has a diameter of 32 mm and a weight of 8.4 grams.
The coin to the left is from the Northern Song Dynasty and is quite unusual. It has a very prominent flower hole but it also has a very distinctive design on its rim or border.
The inscription is written in "running" script and is read clockwise, starting at the top, asyuan feng tong bao (元丰通宝). It was cast during the period 1078-1085 of the reign of Emperor Shen Zong (1068-1085).
The government sometimes cast coins with distinctive borders but most such designs are usually seen only on charms or amulets.
The rim design with its S-shaped curves and dots reminds one of theyinyang(阴 阳) ortaiji (太 极) symbol representing the basic polarities of the universe of light/dark, male/female, etc.
The design can also be interpreted as stylizeddragons chasingpearls. (For more information please visitHidden Meaning of Chinese Charm Symbols.)
This coin has a diameter of 30 mm and a weight of 7.3 grams.
As is the case with most Song dynasty coins, there are different calligraphic styles for each period title inscription.
Theyuan feng tong bao (元丰通宝) coin shown above, with the engraved border, is written in running script while the coin to the left has the very same inscription but is written in seal script.
This coin was cast during the same time period (1078-1085) of Emperor Shen Zong's reign.
Song dynasty coins with flower (rosette) holes can be found in all calligraphic styles of writing including seal,Li, regular, running and grass styles.
The diameter of this coin is 25 mm and the weight is 3.6 grams.
Emperor Zhe Zong ruled the Northern Song during the period 1086-1100.
The seal script inscription on this coin is read clockwise asyuan you tong bao(
This flower hole coin was cast during the years 1086-1093 AD.
The diameter is 24 mm and the weight is 3.2 grams.
This is anotheryuan you tong bao((1086-1100) of the reign of Emperor Zhe Zong as the above coin.
This specimen, however, is a "large" coin and had the equivalent value of several small cash coins when issued.
The diameter is 30.5 mm and the weight is 8.5 grams.
This is also ayuan you tong bao(
This coin is also from the reign of Emperor Zhe Zong.
From 1094-1097 coins with the inscriptionshao sheng yuan bao (绍圣元宝) were cast.
This flower hole coin is written in seal script and the inscription, in this case, is read clockwise.
The diameter is 24 mm and the weight is 4 grams.
The coin at the left appears to be almost identical to the one above.
The inscription is the sameshao sheng yuan bao (绍圣元宝) written in seal script and the coin was cast during the same years (1094-1097) of the reign of Emperor Zhe Zong.
The difference, however, is that this is a "large" cash coin. These larger cash coins were equal in value to several, sometimes even equal to 10, of the smaller cash coins.
This large cash coin has a diameter of 31 mm and a weight of 7.3 grams.
The coin at the left is also ashao sheng yuan bao (绍圣元宝) cast in the years 1094-1097 of the reign of Emperor Zhe Zong.
The inscription on this specimen, however, is written in running script.
The diameter of the coin is 24.5 mm and the weight is 3.6 grams.
This very attractive coin was also cast during the reign of Emperor Zhe Zong.
The inscription, written in seal script, is read clockwise asyuan fu tong bao (元符通宝).
This coin was cast during the years 1098-1100.
The diameter is 25 mm and the weight is 3 grams.
The coin at the left was cast during the years 1101-1106 of the reign ofEmperor Hui Zong (1101-1125).
The inscription is written in seal script and is read clockwise assheng song yuan bao (圣宋元宝).
This coin with a flower hole has a diameter of 24.5 mm and a weight of 3 grams.
During the years 1101-1106 of Emperor Hui Zong's reign, coins with the inscriptionsheng song yuan bao (圣宋元宝) were cast.
This is an example of such a coin with a flower hole.
It is written in running script and the inscription is read clockwise beginning at the top.
The coin is 24.5 mm in diameter and weighs 3.5 grams.
This is another example of a Northern Song Dynasty coin with a flower (rosette) or "star" center hole. The coin is achong ning zhong bao (崇宁重宝) cast in the years 1102-1106 during the reign of Emperor Hui Zong (1101-1125).
This is a "10 cash" coin which means its value was equivalent to ten cash coins.
The traditional square hole is outlined by the inner border. Exactly in the middle of each of the four sides of the hole can be seen what would be the four corners of another "square".
Please note that the inscription and the face of the coin show no signs of mold shifting during the casting and that there is no extra metal in the hole.
The creation of the flower hole could only have been done manually and intentionally.
The reverse side of the coin also clearly shows the same four corner points exactly in the middle of each side of the square hole which would delineate the second square.
This well cast coin is 35 mm in diameter and weighs 9.48 grams.
This Northern Song coin displays Emperor Hui Zong's personal calligraphy known asSlender Gold script.
The inscription isda guan tong bao (大观通宝) and is written top to bottom and right to left.
These coins were cast during the years 1107-1110 and this particular specimen has a flower hole.
The coin has a diameter of 25 mm and a weight of 3.8 grams.
This coin was also cast during the reign of Emperor Hui Zong butin the years 1111-1117 AD.
The inscription is written in "seal" script and readszheng he tong bao (政和通宝).
The diameter is 25 mm and the weight is 3.1 grams.
At the left is a coin with a flower hole issued near the end of Emperor Hui Zong's reign.
The inscription is written in a very beautiful seal script and readsxuan he tong bao (宣和通宝).
The coin was cast during the years 1119-1125 AD.
This coin has a diameter of 24.5 mm and a weight of 3.6 grams.
Southern Song Dynasty Coins (1127 - 1279 AD)
This Chinese coin was cast during the years 1131-1162 AD of the reign ofEmperor Gao Zong (1127-1162 AD) of theSouthern Song Dynasty.
The flower hole is clearly seen.
The calligraphy is seal script and the inscription is read clockwise beginning at the top asshao xing yuan bao (绍兴元宝).
This coin is larger than an average sized cash coin. This is because it is a "2 cash" coin meaning it was worth two normal cash coins.
The reverse side also displays the eight corners or points of the flower hole.
If you look closely, you will see a crescent moon above the square hole and a star below the hole.
This coin has a diameter of about 29.2 mm and weight of 7.6 grams.
Emperor Xiao Zong (1163-1190) issued this large cash coin during the years 1174-1189.
The inscription is written in regular script and readschun xi yuan bao (淳熙元宝).
As is the case with theshao xing yuan bao (绍兴元宝) coin above, the reverse side of thischun xi yuan baoalso has a crescent moon above the flower hole and a dot (star) below.
The diameter is 30 mm and the weight is 6.7 grams.
This Southern Song coin was cast during the short reign ofEmperorGuang Zong (1190-1194).
The inscription (legend) is written in regular script and is read clockwise asshao xi yuan bao (绍熙元宝).
The reverse side of the coin has the characteryuan (元) below the flower hole which means "first".
"First" means the first year of cash coin production using Emperor Guang Zong's period title "shao xi" (绍熙).
This coin was thus cast in the year 1190.
The coin has a diameter of 24.5 mm and a weight of 3.4 grams.
The coin with the flower hole at the left is aqing yuan tong bao (庆元通宝) cast in the years 1195 - 1200 during the reign ofEmperor Ning Zong (1195 - 1224) of the Southern Song.
The flower or rosette hole is very prominent.
Below the hole on the reverse side is the Chinese character for the number "three" (san 三). This indicates that the coin was cast in the third year (1197) of the Qing Yuan reign.
The coin has a diameter of 25 mm and a weight of 3.8 grams.
This cash coin is from the Shao Ding reign ofEmperor Li Zong (1225-1264).
The inscription readsshao ding tong bao (绍定通宝).
The Chinese character for "6" (liu 六) on the reverse side indicates that this particular coin was cast in the 6th year of the Shao Ding reign which would be the year 1233.
The coin has a diameter of 24.3 mm and a weight of 3.7 grams.
This cash coin was also cast during the reign of Emperor Li Zong (1225-1264).
The inscription iskai qing tong bao (开庆通宝).
The reverse side of this 1 cash coin has the Chinese characteryuan (元), meaning "first", above the flower hole.
Theyuan means that the coin was cast in the first year (1259) of the Kai Qing reign. In actuality, Emperor Li Zong only used this reign title for one year sokai qing tong bao coins were only cast in the year 1259.
The diameter is 25 mm and weight is 3.5 grams.
TheLiao Dynasty was ruled by a nomadic people known as theQidan (契丹) and occupied an area that included Manchuria, a portion of Mongolia and parts of Hebei and Shanxi provinces.
The inscription (legend) on this Liao Dynasty coin is read clockwise, beginning at the top, aschong xi tong bao (重熙通宝). It was cast during the years 1032-1055 byEmperor Xing Zong (兴宗 1031-1055).
The Liao patterned their coinage on that of the Northern Song although their craftmanship was not of the same level.
The flower hole on this particular coin is very clear. There is a notch in the center of each side of the center hole indicating the four corners of a second square hole.
There are several recognized varieties of thechong xi tong bao. Some coins have thetong (通) written in "official" or "clerky" style (li shu 隶书). Other coins have thetong (通) written in "regular" or "orthodox" script (kai shu 楷书).
There is a "large character" (da zi 大字) variety which can have thetong(通)in either "official" or "orthodox" script.
There are also varieties where thexi (熙) character is written slightly differently.
Some coins have a "moon" or "crescent" (仰月) above the square hole on the reverse side while other coins have a "star" (星) beneath the hole. These varieties are fairly rare.
Thechong xi tong bao coin displayed here is the more common "regular"tong(通)variety. The "official"tong(通)variety is scarcer.
This coin has a diameter of 24 mm and a weight of 2.7 grams.
This coin with a flower hole was cast during the reign ofEmperorDao Zong (道宗 1055-1101) of the Liao Dynasty.
The inscription reads clockwise asda an yuan bao (大安元宝).
The coin was cast during the years 1085-1093.
This is the "smallan" or "shortan" (duan an 短安) variety of the coin. Theyuan(元)character on some "smallan" coins has a "right shoulder" (右挑元) which is particularly rare.
There is also a "longan" (chang an 长安) variety in which thean character is bigger. "Longan" coins with a "two shoulderyuan" (双挑元) character are also very rare.
Some coins have a "moon"(月) or "star"(星)on the reverse side but they are fairly scarce.
The diameter of the displayedda an yuan bao is 24.3 mm and the weight is 3.2 grams.
This Liao Dynasty coin was cast in the years 1095-1101 during the reign of Emperor Dao Zong (道 宗1055-1101).
The inscription is read clockwise asshou chang yuan bao (寿昌元宝).
There exist "longchang" (chang chang 长昌) and "shortchang" (duan chang 短昌) varieties of this coin. The second horizontal stroke of theyuan (元) can have a right shoulder (you tiao 右挑), left shoulder (zuo tiao 左挑) or two shoulders (shuang tiao 双挑).
The diameter of this coin is 23.8 mm and the weight is 3.7 grams.
This coin was castduring the years 1101-1110 byEmperor Tian Zuo (天祚 1101-1125) of the Liao Dynasty.
The inscription, read in the same manner as the coin above, isqian tong yuan bao (乾统元宝).
This coin also has a prominent and well-shaped flower hole.
Some coins, such as this one, have ayuan (元) character with a left shoulder(zuo tiao左挑). Other coins may have theyuan with a right shoulder (you tiao右挑) or both shoulders (shuang tiao双挑).
There are also varieties where the 日 in theqian (乾) character is written differently.
These coins can sometimes have a "star"(xing 星)on the reverse side.
The eight side flower hole is also clearly seen on the reverse side of the coin.
The diameter of this coin is slightly greater than 24 mm and its weight is 3.4 grams.
This Liao Dynasty coin is also from the reign of Emperor Tian Zuo (天祚帝) but was cast during the years 1111-1120.
The inscription is read in a clockwise manner astian qing yuan bao (天庆元宝).
The flower (rosette) hole on this coin is also very distinctive.
Varieties of this coin include theyuan (元) character with left shoulder (zuo tiao左挑), right shoulder (you tiao右挑) and both shoulders (shuang tiao双挑).
There is also a rare variety which has a "star" (xing 星) beneath theqing (庆).
This coin has a diameter of 24 mm and a weight of 3.4 grams.
Jin Dynasty Coins (1115-1234 AD)
During the late Northern Song Dynasty, the Nuzhen (Jurchen, Jurched) (女真) nationality conquered most of northern China and established theJin Dynasty.
At first, they continued the use of coins from the Song and Liao dynasties.
Beginning in 1154, however, they began to issue paper money known asjiao chao (交钞).
And, in the second year of Zheng Long (1157) they began to mint the bronze coinszheng long yuan bao (正隆元宝).
A fewzheng long yuan bao coins were produced with a flower hole as shown here.
The coin has a diameter of 25 mm and a weight of 4.3 grams.
Ming Dynasty Coins (1368 - 1644 AD)
Chinese coins with flower holes declined in numbers fairly rapidly after the Song Dynasty but could still be seen even as late as theMing Dynasty.
This Ming Dynasty coin is ahong wu tong bao (洪武通宝) which was cast during the Hong Wu reign ofEmperor Tai Zu (1368-1398).
The coin has a very clean and well centered flower hole.
The flower (rosette) hole is also very evident on the reverse side of the coin.
This Ming Dynasty coin is slightly greater than 23 mm in diameter and weighs 3.9 grams.
This is a slightly later Ming Dynasty cash coin displaying a flower (rosette) hole.
The inscription readsyong le tong bao (永乐通宝) and the coin was cast during the reign ofEmperorCheng Zu (1403-1424).
This coin was recovered from a Ming Dynasty shipwreck in the South China Sea.
The diameter is 25.5 mm and the weight is 3.4 grams.
This coin was cast during the reign ofEmperor Si Zong (1628-1644) of the Ming Dynasty.
The inscription readschong zhen tong bao (崇 祯通宝).
This Ming dynasty coin is probably one of the last of the Chinese cash coins to have a flower hole.
The diameter is 23.5 mm and the weight is 2.5 grams.
Return toAncientChinese Charms and Coins
One theory is that they may have identified a location where the coins were cast. Perhaps they signified a year or time of year when a coin was cast.
Ancient coins sometimes includedstars,moons, and other symbols which are not well understood (please seeEmergence of Chinese Charms,Chinese Coins with Charm Features andCharmSymbols:Star,Moon,Cloud and Dragon). The flower hole may have served a similar symbolic function.
It is also noteworthy that the production of this type of coin decreased drastically following the end of Song "matched coins" and the requirement mentioned above that coins beginning in the year 1180 would have a number on the reverse indicating the year they were cast. If the flowered hole was serving a similar function up to this time, it may no longer have been needed after these changes.
Besides their esthetic quality, holes with eight or six sides have a special meaning to the Chinese. The Chinese word for "eight" (ba 八) has a similar pronunciation to the word to "prosper" or "wealth" (fa cai 发财). The Chinese word for"six" (liu 六) is also considered auspicious becauseits pronunciation is similar to the word "prosperity" (lu 禄).
Also, the Chinese themselves refer to these as "chestnut" (lizi 栗子) holes. "Chestnut" has the same pronunciation as "establishing sons" (li zi立子) andthus expresses the hope for having a large family.
Other Asian countries, includingKorea, Japan and Annam (Vietnam), adopted the Chinese cash coin as the model for their own coinage. The quality of these coins could vary drastically. If flower holes were the result of poor quality casting then one would expect to see flower hole coins produced in these countries as well. Yet, it is interesting to note that very, very few coins from these other countries have flower holes. This further strengthens the argument that the appearance of flower holes on Chinese cash coins must have been intentional.
Even though they are rare, flower hole coins from these other Asian countries can sometimes be found. As an example, asang pyong tong bo (Chinese:chang ping tong bao 常平通宝) coin with a flower hole that was cast in Korea by the Government Office of Pukhan Mountain Fortress in 1830 may be seen atKorean Coins.
Chinese Coins with Flower Holes
Western Han Dynasty Coins (206 BC - 25 AD)
The inscription on this coin is read right to left asban liang (半 两).
This coin was cast during the years 186-182 BC during the reign of Empress Lu of the Western Han Dynasty and is known as a8zhu (铢)ban liang.
The coin has a very nice flower hole.
Flower holes oncoinsfrom the early Han Dynasty are very scarce. In fact, this particular coin is the earliest example of a Chinese coin with a flower hole that I have seen.
The diameter of the coin is 32 mm and the weight is 3.8 grams.
Wang Mang Coins (7 - 23 AD)
This coin is ahuo quan (货泉) which translates as "wealth coin" or "money coin".
These coins were cast beginning in the year 14 AD byWang Mang.
Thishuo quan is considered a very early example of a Chinese coin with a flower hole.
The flower hole may not be as obvious as that on the coins to follow so I have outlined the eight sides of the hole for your convenience.
The diameter of the coin is 28 mm and the weight is 2.1 grams.
Eastern Han Dynasty Coins (25-220 AD)
The coinage of theWestern Han andEastern Han Dynasties was dominated by thewu zhu(五 铢)coin.At the left is an example of an Eastern Hanwu zhu coin.
This coin, however, is quite remarkable in that it displays a number of special characteristics.
The coin has a very nice flower hole.
Below the square hole are three "dots" which the Chinese refer to as "stars".
Above the square hole are twovertical lines which are believed to represent the number "two", and connecting these two lines is an incused line creating what some believe is theChinese charactergong(工).
The coin has a diameter of 23.5 mm and a weight of 2.2 grams.
The Three Kingdoms Coins (220-280 AD)
With the end of the Han Dynasty, China entered a period of disunity and warfare known as theThree Kingdoms.The Kingdom of Shu was one of these Three Kingdoms and the coin at the left was cast there during the years 221-265.
The inscription istai ping bai qian (太 平百钱)which translates asTaiping (Great Peace) One Hundred Cash.
This is a small and thin specimen but one that exhibits a flower hole.
Another very distinctive variety of this coin, which reflects Daoist (Taoist) influences, can be seen atChinese Coins with Charm Features.
This coin has a diameter of 19.5 mm and a weight of only 0.7 grams.
Tang Dynasty Coins (618 - 907 AD)
Beginning in the 4th year (621) of theWu De reign of Emperor Gaozu, use of thewu zhu(五 铢) coinswasabolished and a new coin began to be cast with the inscriptionkai yuan tong bao (开 元 通宝).An example of akai yuan tong bao with a well-formed flower hole is displayed here.
This new coin was a monumental change in the history of Chinese coinage because Chinese coins were now no longer named after their weight, such as"half tael" (ban liang半两) or"fivezhu" (wu zhu 五铢), but instead would have inscriptions such astong bao(通 寶),yuan bao (元 寶)andzhong bao (重 寶).
Another important change was that the coin inscription would was no longer written in the ancientzhuan shu (篆书) or "seal" script but rather inli shu (隶书) or "official" script which is a square and plain style of Chinese calligraphy.
Emperor Gaozu had one of the Tang Dynasty's most famous calligraphers, Ouyang Xun (欧阳询), write the inscription for the new coin and thesekai yuan tong bao cash coins would continue to be cast for more than 200 years.
The coin has a diameter of 25 mm and a weight of 3.1 grams.
As mentioned in the history section above, coins with flower holes started to become more commonly seen during theTang Dynasty.
This is an ordinary one cash coin with a nicely formed flower hole. The inscription readsqian yuan zhong bao(乾 元重宝) and these coins were cast during the years 759-762 of the reign of Emperor Su Zong (756-762).
The coin has a diameter of 23 mm and a weight of 3.5 grams.
The Chinese coin at the left is also aqian yuan zhong bao (乾元重宝) cast beginning in the second year (759 AD) of the Qian Yuan reign of Emperor Su Zong (756-762).
This particular specimen also has a nicely centered eight-sided flower hole.
The flower or rosette hole is clearly seen on the reverse side of the coin as well.
Please note that this coin has a double outer rim. This dual rim (chonglun 重轮) was done intentionally to indicate that the coin was equal in value to 50 ordinary cash coins.
This coin has a diameter of 35 mm and a weight of 15 grams.
The inscription on this Tang Dynasty cash coin is read clockwise asda li yuan bao (大历元宝).
The coin has a well-formed flower hole and was cast during the Dali reign (766-779) of Emperor Dai Zong.
The diameter is 22.5 mm and the weight is 2.6 grams.
Beginning in the 5th year (845) of theHui Chang reign of Emperor Wu Zong (841-846), cash coins were cast with the inscriptionkai yuan tong bao (开元通宝).
However, thesekai yuan tong bao coins differed from those cast atthe beginning of the Tang Dynasty in that the reverse side displays a Chinese character.
The first coin of this type was cast under the authority of Li Shen, the Resident Administrator of Yangzhou Prefecture, and had the characterchang (昌) on the reverse side to indicate the reign yearHui Chang.
However, thesekai yuan tong bao coins differed from those cast atthe beginning of the Tang Dynasty in that the reverse side displays a Chinese character.
The first coin of this type was cast under the authority of Li Shen, the Resident Administrator of Yangzhou Prefecture, and had the characterchang (昌) on the reverse side to indicate the reign yearHui Chang.
Other mints subsequently produced coins of this type with a character on the reverse side indicating the prefecture where the coin was cast. For this reason, these coins are commonly referred to asHui Chang Kai Yuan (会昌开元) coins.
This is the reverse side of the coin.
If you observe closely, you will notice the Chinese characteryan (兖) just above the flower hole.
This indicates that thisHui Chang Kai Yuancoin was cast at the mint located at Yan Prefecture in Shandong.
In general, the workmanship ofHui Chang kai yuan tong baocoinsdoes not match that of thekai yuantong bao coins cast at the beginning of the Tang Dynasty.
The diameter of this coin is 24 mm and the weight is 3.1 grams.
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Coins (907-960)
Following the Tang Dynasty, South China was ruled during the years 907-960 by theFive Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms.
This coin was cast in the year 917 which was the first year of the Tian Han reign ofKing Wang Jian (907-918) of the Former Shu (First Shu) Kingdom (907-925).
The inscription is read clockwise astian han yuan bao (天汉元宝).
This particular specimen exhibits a flower (rosette) hole.
The diameter of the coin is 23 mm and the weight is 3.4 grams.
The diameter of the coin is 23 mm and the weight is 3.4 grams.
This coin, with a prominent flowerhole, was cast during the reign ofWang Yan (919-925), the son of Wang Jian, of the Former Shu Kingdom.
The inscription reads clockwise asqiande yuan bao (乾德元宝).
These coins were cast during the years 919-924.
The diameter is 23.8 mm and the weight is 3.1 grams.
Northern Song Dynasty Coins (960 - 1127 AD)
This is one of the earliest examples of aNorthern Song Dynasty coin with a flower hole.
The inscription is written in running script and is read clockwise aszhi dao yuan bao (至道元宝).
The coin was cast during the years 995-997 of the reign ofEmperor Tai Zong (976-997).
The diameter is 25 mm and the weight is 3.5 grams.
Northern Song cash coins tend to be finely cast as illustrated by this coin with its deep characters.
The inscription reads clockwise, beginning at the top, asjing de yuan bao (景德元宝) and is written in regular script.
This coin with a flower hole was cast during the years 1004-1007 of the reign ofEmperor Zhen Zong (998-1022).
The diameter is 25.9 mm and the weight is 3.7 grams.
This coin with a flower hole was cast during the years 1008-1016 of the reign of Emperor Zhen Zong (998-1022) of the Northern Song.
The inscription is read clockwise asxiang fu yuan bao (样符元宝) and is written in regular script.
The diameter is 25 mm and the weight is 3.5 grams.
This Northern Song coin with a flower hole was cast during the years 1017-1022 in the reign of Emperor Zhen Zong (998-1022).
The inscription is read clockwise, starting with the top character, astian xi tong bao (天禧通宝) and is written in regular script.
The coin is 25 mm in diameter and weighs 3.5 grams.
The inscription on this Northern Song coin is read clockwise astian sheng yuan bao (天圣元宝) and is written in regular script.
This coin with a flower hole was minted during the years 1023-1031 of the reign ofEmperorRen Zong (1022-1063).
The diameter is 24.5 mm and the weight is 2.6 grams.
This particular Northern Song dynasty coin was only cast in the years 1032-1033 during the reign of Emperor Ren Zong (1022-1063).
The inscription is written in regular script and is read clockwise, beginning at the top, asming dao yuan bao (明道元宝).
This specimen has a flower (rosette) hole.
The coin has a diameter of 26 mm and weighs 4.2 grams.
During the years 1039-1054 of Emperor Ren Zong's reign, coins with the inscriptionhuang song tong bao (皇宋通宝) were cast.
In this example, the inscription is read top to bottom and right to left.
The inscription is written in seal script and the coin has a flower hole.
The diameter is 25 mm and the weight is 3.5 grams.
This coin from Emperor Ren Zong was cast during 1054-1055.
The inscription iszhi he tong bao (至 和通宝) and is written in regular script.
The coin displays a very nice flower or rosette hole.
The diameter is 25 mm and the weight is 3.6 grams.
The inscription (legend) on this cash coin is alsozhi he tong bao (至和通宝) but it is written in seal script.
This coin was also cast during the years 1054-1055 of the reign of Song Dynasty Emperor Ren Zong.
The coin has a diameter of 25 mm and a weight of 3.4 grams.
This coin was also cast during the reign of Emperor Ren Zong.
The inscription (legend), written in seal script, isjia you tong bao (
The diameter is 24.8 mm and the weight is 3.3 grams.
Emperor Ying Zong reigned during the years 1064-1067.
This coin has the inscription (legend)zhi ping yuan bao(治平元宝) written in a beautiful seal script.
It was cast during the entire period of Emperor Ying Zong's rule.
The coin has a diameter of 24 mm and a weight of 3.5 grams.
This cash coin was also cast during the years 1064-1067 of Emperor Ying Zong's reign.
The coin has the samezhi ping yuan bao (治平元宝) inscription but, in this case, is written in regular script.
The diameter is 24 mm and the weight is 4 grams.
This is another cash coin cast during the Zhi Ping reign of Emperor Ying Zong.
In this case, however, the inscription iszhi ping tong bao (治平通宝) written in seal script.
These coins were cast in the years 1064-1067.
The coin is distinctive in that the character (ping平), located below the square hole, is written with three strokes at the bottom instead of one.
The diameter is 24.7 mm and the weight is 4.1 grams.
The reign ofEmperor Shen Zong (1068-1085) of the Northern Song included the casting of coinage with the inscriptionxi ning yuan bao (熙宁元宝) during the years 1068-1077.
This is a variety of such a coin which happens to have a flower hole.
The inscription is written in regular script and is read clockwise.
The coin has a diameter of 24.5 mm.
The coin is thicker than most Song dynasty coins of this size which explains its weight of 5.5 grams.
At the left is another "flower hole" coin with the samexi ning tong bao (熙 宁元宝) inscription.
This inscription, however, is written in seal script.
Coins with this style of calligraphy were cast during the years 1068-1077 of the reign of Emperor Shen Zong.
The diameter is 24.5 mm and the weight is 3.8 grams.
Beginning in the year 1071, larger denomination coins, initially valued at 10 cash coins each, were produced. These coins were issued during the reign of Emperor Shen Zong to pay for military expenses.The coin at the left is one of these larger cash coins with this particular specimen displaying a flower (rosette) hole.
The inscription readsxi ning zhong bao (熙宁重宝) and is written in seal script.
These coins were gradually devalued to be equal to 3 cash coins and finally to 2 cash coins.
Casting ofxi ning zhong baocoins ceased in 1077.
The diameter of this coin is 29 mm and the weight is 8 grams.
Similar to the above large cash coin, this is anotherxi ning zhong bao (熙宁重宝) but one which is written in regular script.
This coin was also cast during the years 1071-1077 of the reign of Emperor Shen Zong.
The coin has a diameter of 32 mm and a weight of 8.4 grams.
The coin to the left is from the Northern Song Dynasty and is quite unusual. It has a very prominent flower hole but it also has a very distinctive design on its rim or border.The inscription is written in "running" script and is read clockwise, starting at the top, asyuan feng tong bao (元丰通宝). It was cast during the period 1078-1085 of the reign of Emperor Shen Zong (1068-1085).
The government sometimes cast coins with distinctive borders but most such designs are usually seen only on charms or amulets.
The rim design with its S-shaped curves and dots reminds one of theyinyang(阴 阳) ortaiji (太 极) symbol representing the basic polarities of the universe of light/dark, male/female, etc.
The design can also be interpreted as stylizeddragons chasingpearls. (For more information please visitHidden Meaning of Chinese Charm Symbols.)
This coin has a diameter of 30 mm and a weight of 7.3 grams.
As is the case with most Song dynasty coins, there are different calligraphic styles for each period title inscription.Theyuan feng tong bao (元丰通宝) coin shown above, with the engraved border, is written in running script while the coin to the left has the very same inscription but is written in seal script.
This coin was cast during the same time period (1078-1085) of Emperor Shen Zong's reign.
Song dynasty coins with flower (rosette) holes can be found in all calligraphic styles of writing including seal,Li, regular, running and grass styles.
The diameter of this coin is 25 mm and the weight is 3.6 grams.
Emperor Zhe Zong ruled the Northern Song during the period 1086-1100.
The seal script inscription on this coin is read clockwise asyuan you tong bao(
This flower hole coin was cast during the years 1086-1093 AD.
The diameter is 24 mm and the weight is 3.2 grams.
This is anotheryuan you tong bao((1086-1100) of the reign of Emperor Zhe Zong as the above coin.
This specimen, however, is a "large" coin and had the equivalent value of several small cash coins when issued.
The diameter is 30.5 mm and the weight is 8.5 grams.
This is also ayuan you tong bao(
This coin is also from the reign of Emperor Zhe Zong.
From 1094-1097 coins with the inscriptionshao sheng yuan bao (绍圣元宝) were cast.
This flower hole coin is written in seal script and the inscription, in this case, is read clockwise.
The diameter is 24 mm and the weight is 4 grams.
The coin at the left appears to be almost identical to the one above.
The inscription is the sameshao sheng yuan bao (绍圣元宝) written in seal script and the coin was cast during the same years (1094-1097) of the reign of Emperor Zhe Zong.
The difference, however, is that this is a "large" cash coin. These larger cash coins were equal in value to several, sometimes even equal to 10, of the smaller cash coins.
This large cash coin has a diameter of 31 mm and a weight of 7.3 grams.
The coin at the left is also ashao sheng yuan bao (绍圣元宝) cast in the years 1094-1097 of the reign of Emperor Zhe Zong.
The inscription on this specimen, however, is written in running script.
The diameter of the coin is 24.5 mm and the weight is 3.6 grams.
This very attractive coin was also cast during the reign of Emperor Zhe Zong.
The inscription, written in seal script, is read clockwise asyuan fu tong bao (元符通宝).
This coin was cast during the years 1098-1100.
The diameter is 25 mm and the weight is 3 grams.
The coin at the left was cast during the years 1101-1106 of the reign ofEmperor Hui Zong (1101-1125).
The inscription is written in seal script and is read clockwise assheng song yuan bao (圣宋元宝).
This coin with a flower hole has a diameter of 24.5 mm and a weight of 3 grams.
During the years 1101-1106 of Emperor Hui Zong's reign, coins with the inscriptionsheng song yuan bao (圣宋元宝) were cast.
This is an example of such a coin with a flower hole.
It is written in running script and the inscription is read clockwise beginning at the top.
The coin is 24.5 mm in diameter and weighs 3.5 grams.
This is another example of a Northern Song Dynasty coin with a flower (rosette) or "star" center hole. The coin is achong ning zhong bao (崇宁重宝) cast in the years 1102-1106 during the reign of Emperor Hui Zong (1101-1125).This is a "10 cash" coin which means its value was equivalent to ten cash coins.
The traditional square hole is outlined by the inner border. Exactly in the middle of each of the four sides of the hole can be seen what would be the four corners of another "square".
Please note that the inscription and the face of the coin show no signs of mold shifting during the casting and that there is no extra metal in the hole.
The creation of the flower hole could only have been done manually and intentionally.
The reverse side of the coin also clearly shows the same four corner points exactly in the middle of each side of the square hole which would delineate the second square.
This well cast coin is 35 mm in diameter and weighs 9.48 grams.
This Northern Song coin displays Emperor Hui Zong's personal calligraphy known asSlender Gold script.
The inscription isda guan tong bao (大观通宝) and is written top to bottom and right to left.
These coins were cast during the years 1107-1110 and this particular specimen has a flower hole.
The coin has a diameter of 25 mm and a weight of 3.8 grams.
This coin was also cast during the reign of Emperor Hui Zong butin the years 1111-1117 AD.
The inscription is written in "seal" script and readszheng he tong bao (政和通宝).
The diameter is 25 mm and the weight is 3.1 grams.
At the left is a coin with a flower hole issued near the end of Emperor Hui Zong's reign.
The inscription is written in a very beautiful seal script and readsxuan he tong bao (宣和通宝).
The coin was cast during the years 1119-1125 AD.
This coin has a diameter of 24.5 mm and a weight of 3.6 grams.
Southern Song Dynasty Coins (1127 - 1279 AD)
This Chinese coin was cast during the years 1131-1162 AD of the reign ofEmperor Gao Zong (1127-1162 AD) of theSouthern Song Dynasty.
The flower hole is clearly seen.
The calligraphy is seal script and the inscription is read clockwise beginning at the top asshao xing yuan bao (绍兴元宝).
This coin is larger than an average sized cash coin. This is because it is a "2 cash" coin meaning it was worth two normal cash coins.
The reverse side also displays the eight corners or points of the flower hole.
If you look closely, you will see a crescent moon above the square hole and a star below the hole.
This coin has a diameter of about 29.2 mm and weight of 7.6 grams.
Emperor Xiao Zong (1163-1190) issued this large cash coin during the years 1174-1189.
The inscription is written in regular script and readschun xi yuan bao (淳熙元宝).
As is the case with theshao xing yuan bao (绍兴元宝) coin above, the reverse side of thischun xi yuan baoalso has a crescent moon above the flower hole and a dot (star) below.
The diameter is 30 mm and the weight is 6.7 grams.
This Southern Song coin was cast during the short reign ofEmperorGuang Zong (1190-1194).
The inscription (legend) is written in regular script and is read clockwise asshao xi yuan bao (绍熙元宝).
The reverse side of the coin has the characteryuan (元) below the flower hole which means "first".
"First" means the first year of cash coin production using Emperor Guang Zong's period title "shao xi" (绍熙).
This coin was thus cast in the year 1190.
The coin has a diameter of 24.5 mm and a weight of 3.4 grams.
The coin with the flower hole at the left is aqing yuan tong bao (庆元通宝) cast in the years 1195 - 1200 during the reign ofEmperor Ning Zong (1195 - 1224) of the Southern Song.
The flower or rosette hole is very prominent.
Below the hole on the reverse side is the Chinese character for the number "three" (san 三). This indicates that the coin was cast in the third year (1197) of the Qing Yuan reign.
The coin has a diameter of 25 mm and a weight of 3.8 grams.
This cash coin is from the Shao Ding reign ofEmperor Li Zong (1225-1264).The inscription readsshao ding tong bao (绍定通宝).
The Chinese character for "6" (liu 六) on the reverse side indicates that this particular coin was cast in the 6th year of the Shao Ding reign which would be the year 1233.
The coin has a diameter of 24.3 mm and a weight of 3.7 grams.
This cash coin was also cast during the reign of Emperor Li Zong (1225-1264).The inscription iskai qing tong bao (开庆通宝).
The reverse side of this 1 cash coin has the Chinese characteryuan (元), meaning "first", above the flower hole.
Theyuan means that the coin was cast in the first year (1259) of the Kai Qing reign. In actuality, Emperor Li Zong only used this reign title for one year sokai qing tong bao coins were only cast in the year 1259.
The diameter is 25 mm and weight is 3.5 grams.
Liao Dynasty Coins (907 - 1125 AD)
TheLiao Dynasty was ruled by a nomadic people known as theQidan (契丹) and occupied an area that included Manchuria, a portion of Mongolia and parts of Hebei and Shanxi provinces.The inscription (legend) on this Liao Dynasty coin is read clockwise, beginning at the top, aschong xi tong bao (重熙通宝). It was cast during the years 1032-1055 byEmperor Xing Zong (兴宗 1031-1055).
The Liao patterned their coinage on that of the Northern Song although their craftmanship was not of the same level.
The flower hole on this particular coin is very clear. There is a notch in the center of each side of the center hole indicating the four corners of a second square hole.
There are several recognized varieties of thechong xi tong bao. Some coins have thetong (通) written in "official" or "clerky" style (li shu 隶书). Other coins have thetong (通) written in "regular" or "orthodox" script (kai shu 楷书).
There is a "large character" (da zi 大字) variety which can have thetong(通)in either "official" or "orthodox" script.
There are also varieties where thexi (熙) character is written slightly differently.
Some coins have a "moon" or "crescent" (仰月) above the square hole on the reverse side while other coins have a "star" (星) beneath the hole. These varieties are fairly rare.
Thechong xi tong bao coin displayed here is the more common "regular"tong(通)variety. The "official"tong(通)variety is scarcer.
This coin has a diameter of 24 mm and a weight of 2.7 grams.
This coin with a flower hole was cast during the reign ofEmperorDao Zong (道宗 1055-1101) of the Liao Dynasty.The inscription reads clockwise asda an yuan bao (大安元宝).
The coin was cast during the years 1085-1093.
This is the "smallan" or "shortan" (duan an 短安) variety of the coin. Theyuan(元)character on some "smallan" coins has a "right shoulder" (右挑元) which is particularly rare.
There is also a "longan" (chang an 长安) variety in which thean character is bigger. "Longan" coins with a "two shoulderyuan" (双挑元) character are also very rare.
Some coins have a "moon"(月) or "star"(星)on the reverse side but they are fairly scarce.
The diameter of the displayedda an yuan bao is 24.3 mm and the weight is 3.2 grams.
This Liao Dynasty coin was cast in the years 1095-1101 during the reign of Emperor Dao Zong (道 宗1055-1101).
The inscription is read clockwise asshou chang yuan bao (寿昌元宝).
There exist "longchang" (chang chang 长昌) and "shortchang" (duan chang 短昌) varieties of this coin. The second horizontal stroke of theyuan (元) can have a right shoulder (you tiao 右挑), left shoulder (zuo tiao 左挑) or two shoulders (shuang tiao 双挑).
The diameter of this coin is 23.8 mm and the weight is 3.7 grams.
This coin was castduring the years 1101-1110 byEmperor Tian Zuo (天祚 1101-1125) of the Liao Dynasty.
The inscription, read in the same manner as the coin above, isqian tong yuan bao (乾统元宝).
This coin also has a prominent and well-shaped flower hole.
Some coins, such as this one, have ayuan (元) character with a left shoulder(zuo tiao左挑). Other coins may have theyuan with a right shoulder (you tiao右挑) or both shoulders (shuang tiao双挑).
There are also varieties where the 日 in theqian (乾) character is written differently.
These coins can sometimes have a "star"(xing 星)on the reverse side.
The eight side flower hole is also clearly seen on the reverse side of the coin.
The diameter of this coin is slightly greater than 24 mm and its weight is 3.4 grams.
This Liao Dynasty coin is also from the reign of Emperor Tian Zuo (天祚帝) but was cast during the years 1111-1120.
The inscription is read in a clockwise manner astian qing yuan bao (天庆元宝).
The flower (rosette) hole on this coin is also very distinctive.
Varieties of this coin include theyuan (元) character with left shoulder (zuo tiao左挑), right shoulder (you tiao右挑) and both shoulders (shuang tiao双挑).
There is also a rare variety which has a "star" (xing 星) beneath theqing (庆).
This coin has a diameter of 24 mm and a weight of 3.4 grams.
Jin Dynasty Coins (1115-1234 AD)
During the late Northern Song Dynasty, the Nuzhen (Jurchen, Jurched) (女真) nationality conquered most of northern China and established theJin Dynasty.
At first, they continued the use of coins from the Song and Liao dynasties.
Beginning in 1154, however, they began to issue paper money known asjiao chao (交钞).
And, in the second year of Zheng Long (1157) they began to mint the bronze coinszheng long yuan bao (正隆元宝).
A fewzheng long yuan bao coins were produced with a flower hole as shown here.
The coin has a diameter of 25 mm and a weight of 4.3 grams.
Ming Dynasty Coins (1368 - 1644 AD)
Chinese coins with flower holes declined in numbers fairly rapidly after the Song Dynasty but could still be seen even as late as theMing Dynasty.
This Ming Dynasty coin is ahong wu tong bao (洪武通宝) which was cast during the Hong Wu reign ofEmperor Tai Zu (1368-1398).
The coin has a very clean and well centered flower hole.
The flower (rosette) hole is also very evident on the reverse side of the coin.
This Ming Dynasty coin is slightly greater than 23 mm in diameter and weighs 3.9 grams.
This is a slightly later Ming Dynasty cash coin displaying a flower (rosette) hole.
The inscription readsyong le tong bao (永乐通宝) and the coin was cast during the reign ofEmperorCheng Zu (1403-1424).
This coin was recovered from a Ming Dynasty shipwreck in the South China Sea.
The diameter is 25.5 mm and the weight is 3.4 grams.
This coin was cast during the reign ofEmperor Si Zong (1628-1644) of the Ming Dynasty.
The inscription readschong zhen tong bao (崇 祯通宝).
This Ming dynasty coin is probably one of the last of the Chinese cash coins to have a flower hole.
The diameter is 23.5 mm and the weight is 2.5 grams.
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