Item number: A237

Year: AD 1118-1119

Material: Bronze

Size: 26.0 x 26.0 mm

Provenance:

1. Fuchin Coin 2016

2. Cheng Xuan Auctions

This is a bronze coin minted during the Northern Song Dynasty, under the fifth reign title of Emperor Huizong. It bears the inscription “Chong He Tongbao” and follows the square-hole round-coin system. The obverse of this type of coin features inscriptions in both clerical script and seal script, with this item showcasing the seal script version. In Chinese numismatics, coins with identical specifications except for variations in calligraphic styles are termed “couple coins.”

The coin exhibits a robust and distinct outline. On the obverse, in sequence from top to bottom and from right to left, the inscription “Chong He Tongbao ” is rendered in seal script. The structure of the characters is broad and graceful, with strokes evenly proportioned, showcasing the refined literary style and minting technology of the Northern Song period. The reverse side, however, lacks any inscriptions.

In November AD 1118, Emperor Huizong inaugurated his fifth reign title, “Chonghe,” with the aspiration of fostering internal tranquillity among court officials divided into two factions, the New Party and the Old Party, following the currency inflation policies of the powerful minister Cai Jing. Externally, he sought to maintain peace with the strong northern neighbour, the Liao Dynasty. However, in February of the following year, concerns arose as “Chonghe” appeared to be a reign title previously used by the Liao Dynasty. Consequently, Emperor Huizong changed the reign title once again to “Xuanhe.”

Due to its short duration of only three months, coins minted under the reign title “Chonghe” are extremely rare. Unlike coins minted under Emperor Huizong’s other reign titles, “Chonghe Tongbao” is the only type that does not fall under the category of “Imperial Calligraphy Coins.” As the name suggests, “Imperial Calligraphy Coins” feature inscriptions penned by the emperor himself. This tradition originated from Emperor Taizong, the second emperor of the Song Dynasty, reflecting the societal emphasis on culture over martial pursuits during the Song Dynasty. Emperor Huizong, renowned for his calligraphy skills, often employed his unique “slender gold script” on these Imperial Calligraphy Coins.

Despite Emperor Huizong’s exceptional artistic accomplishments, his reign was marked by flawed diplomatic policies. These missteps ultimately facilitated the rise of the emerging Jin Dynasty. Following the Jin’s conquest of the Liao Dynasty, they breached the northern Song capital in AD 1127, capturing Emperor Huizong, then acting as a retired emperor, along with his recently enthroned successor, Emperor Qinzong, and other members of the imperial family. This event, known as the Jingkang Incident, compelled the Song court to flee southward, marking a dark chapter in Chinese history.

物件編號: A237

年代: 公元 1118-1119 年

材料: 青銅

尺寸: 26.0 x 26.0 mm

來源:

1. 福君錢幣 2016

2.誠軒拍賣

這是一枚北宋年間，宋徽宗按照自己的第五個年號鑄造的「重和通寶」青銅錢。錢幣型制為方孔圓錢，正面銘文有隸書和篆書兩種，此物件為篆書版本。中國的錢幣學將僅有書法字體差異，其餘型制皆相同的錢幣稱作「對錢」。

錢幣的外廓深厚清晰。正面按照上、下、右、左的順序，以篆書寫有「重和通寶」四字。文字結構寬博，筆畫勻稱，呈現北宋時期的高度文學風采和鑄幣技術；背面則沒有任何題字。

公元1118年11月，徽宗啟用生平第五個年號「重和」，期許內部歷經權臣蔡京通貨膨脹政策後，分為新黨和舊黨兩派的朝臣能相安無事。對外則期待跟北面的強鄰遼國維持和平。然而隔年2月，由於「重和」疑似是遼國使用過的年號，因此徽宗再度將年號改為「宣和」。

由於「重和」年號僅存續三個月，故按照該年號鑄造的「重和通寶」極為稀少。不同於以徽宗其他年號鑄造的錢幣，「重和通寶」是唯一一款不屬於「御書錢」範疇的錢幣。「御書錢」顧名思義，乃由皇帝親筆撰寫錢幣的銘文。這項傳統源於宋朝第二任皇帝宋太宗，充分反映宋朝「重文輕武」的社會風氣。徽宗又為書法造詣最高者，其獨門「瘦金體」經常施展在御書錢上。

即便徽宗擁有高超的藝術造詣，身為皇帝卻因錯誤的外交政策，導致新興崛起的金國在消滅遼國後，於公元1127年攻破北宋首都，擄去時任太上皇的徽宗和繼位不久的欽宗等皇室貴冑，使得宋室被迫南渡史稱「靖康之禍」。