Item number: A121

Year: ND

Material: Copper

Size: 25.8 x 25.8 mm

Weight: 6.44 g

Provenance:

1. Noonans 2022

2. D. L. F. Sealy Collection

This object is a “one thousand-fold profit” Chinese charm praying for wealth, with the reverse inscribed with “ten thousand taels of gold”. It belongs to the category of auspicious money. The textual motifs on both obverse and reverse sides serve the purpose of bestowing wishes for wealth.

Auspicious currency constitutes a prevalent form of monetary exchange, primarily employed in interpersonal transactions for the conveyance of blessings. Notably, merchants often carry such inscribed auspicious currency during commercial transactions to ensure the smooth progression of their trade dealings.

Yasheng coins, also known as “Yansheng coins” or “flower 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: A121

年代: 未知

材料: 銅

尺寸: 25.8 x 25.8 mm

重量: 6.44 g

來源:

1. 諾南斯 2022

2. 大衛.萊斯利.福布斯.西利舊藏

此物件為「一本萬利」花錢，背面為「黃金萬兩」，屬於吉語錢類別。前後錢文旨在祝服持有者財源廣進。

吉語錢為常見的花錢類別，多用於人際往來，傳遞祝福。商人在進行買賣的時候，會帶上刻有類似錢文的吉語錢以確保交易順利。

壓勝錢又稱厭勝錢、花錢，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。