Item number: A127

Year: Qing Dynasty, AD 1636-1911

Material: Brass

Size: 45.0 x 45.0 mm

Weight: 21.89 g

Provenance:

1. Noonans 2022

2. D. L. F. Sealy Collection

This object is a “Yi Ping Dang Zhao Zhuang Yuan Ji Di (Number One Scholar at the Imperial Court)” charm coin crafted during the Qing Dynasty. The reverse side features Kui Xing kicking the Big Dipper. It belongs to the category of auspicious coins. The phrase on the front signifies the highest official rank (yipin), and “Dang Zhao” refers to holding governmental power. Thus, the entire phrase conveys a wish for candidates to succeed in the imperial examinations and become top scholars and high-ranking officials. The reverse side depicts Kui Xing kicking the Big Dipper, with Kui Xing on the right side of the charm, pointing to the Big Dipper.

Kui Xing, traditionally considered the Deity of Examinations, also known as Da Kui Xing Jun or Kui Xing Ye, is believed in folklore to govern success in the imperial examinations. Many academies and educational institutions worship Kui Xing. According to legend, Kui Xing was highly knowledgeable and consistently excelled in examinations, but due to his extremely unattractive appearance, the examiners deemed him unsuitable for official positions and did not appoint him. After several setbacks, he drowned himself but was saved by an ao(鰲), a giant turtle, which carried him to the heavenly court where the Jade Emperor appointed him the Deity of Examinations, making him the protector of scholars. Legend has it that if a scholar’s name is marked by Kui Xing’s brush, he will excel in the examinations. A phrase related to Kui Xing is “Kui Xing points to the Dipper, to stand lonely on the ao’s head.” During the Tang and Song dynasties, the center stone slab of the palace’s main hall’s steps was carved with dragons and ao. Successful candidates would stand at the steps to receive their ranking, with only the top scholar (zhuangyuan) standing on the head of the ao to receive the honor, symbolizing preeminence and distinction.

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: A127

年代: 清代, 公元 1636-1911 年

材質: 黃銅

尺寸: 45.0 x 45.0 mm

重量: 21.89 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「一品當朝狀元及第」花錢，背面為魁星踢斗圖，屬於吉語錢類別，製於清朝。正面句子中的一品為最高的官位， 當朝代表執掌朝政，整句意為祝福考生考中狀元稱狀元及第當大官。背面為魁星踢斗圖，魁星位於花錢右邊，手指北斗七星。

魁星，相傳為文曲星，又稱大魁星君、魁星爺。 民間信仰中認為魁斗主科舉登第文事，書院學府常祀有魁斗星君。傳說魁星滿腹經綸、每試必中，但主考官以其長相奇醜，不適任朝官而不錄取，幾經打擊後投水自殺，被鰲魚所救，載往天庭，被玉帝封為文魁星，成為讀書人守護神。 與魁星相關的典故有「魁星點斗，獨占鰲頭」，意思是被魁星爺用筆點定名字的應試學子，就能高中金榜。唐宋之時，皇宮正殿台階正中石板上，雕有龍及鰲，考中的進士要站在台階下迎榜，僅狀元一人站在鰲頭上迎榜，以示為首及尊榮，故稱獨占鰲頭。

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。