Digital museum showcasing the collection of worldwide legends over the years! 千古不朽博物館展示多年來收藏的世界傳奇故事!
Chinese Wealth Charm
一本萬利花錢
(背黃金萬兩)
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.