Item number: A109

Year: Qing Dynasty, AD 1636-1911

Material: Copper

Size: 27.83 x 27.58 mm

Weight: 5.05 g

Provenance:

1. Noonans 2022

2. D. L. F. Sealy Collection

This coin, cast during the Qing Dynasty, is known as a “Qu huang Horse Coin” and does not possess any actual monetary function.

The obverse side of the coin features an image of a galloping horse, while the reverse side is inscribed with the name of the horse, “Qu huang.”

According to the “Mu Tianzi Zhuan,” a text from the Warring States period, King Mu of Zhou owned eight divine steeds, named: Chiji, Daoli, Baiyi, Yulun, Shan, Qu huang, Hualiu, and Luer.

This type of coin, also referred to as “Dama Coins” or “Dama Grid Coins,” is a form of “flower coin.” It first appeared during the Tang and Song dynasties. Particularly during the Song Dynasty, the game of “Dama” was popular among the people, who used these coins as pieces on a “Dama” game board. Over time, the gameplay and its rules gradually faded into obscurity.

Flower coins, also known as “Yansheng coins” or “Yasheng coins,” were not formal currency. Initially, they were primarily used for prayers for good fortune and to ward off evil spirits. Over time, their usage became more widespread. These coins were minted from the Western Han Dynasty to the early Republic of China, with a particular abundance and variety during the Qing Dynasty.

物件編號: A109

年代: 清代, 公元 1636-1911 年

材料: 銅

尺寸: 27.83 x 27.58 mm

重量: 5.05 g

來源:

1. 諾南斯 2022

2. 大衛.萊斯利.福布斯.西利舊藏

此枚錢幣為清代鑄造的渠黃打馬錢，無實質的貨幣功能。

錢幣的正面刻有駿馬圖像，背面刻著駿馬的名稱「渠黃」。

根據戰國的《穆天子傳》一書中所記載，周穆王擁有八匹神駒，分別名為: 赤驥、盜驪、白義、踰輪、山子、渠黃、驊騮、綠耳。

這種錢幣又稱馬錢、打馬格錢，是花錢的一種。最初出現於唐宋時期，尤其是宋代，打馬遊戲在民間興盛，人們以打馬錢作為棋子在打馬圖棋盤上下棋，後這種玩法和其規則逐漸失傳。

花錢又稱厭勝錢、壓勝錢，非正式流通的貨幣，最初主要用於祈吉、驅邪，而後使用範圍越趨廣泛。從西漢至民初均有鑄造，尤以清代為盛，種類繁多。