Item number: A130

Year: ND

Material: Copper

Size: 51.73 x 51.73 mm

Weight: 37.85 g

Provenance:

1. Noonans 2022

2. D. L. F. Sealy Collection

This object is a “Ping Zhong Lan Tai(品重蘭台)” Chinese charm, featuring a depiction of three individuals and one holding the halberd on the reverse side, falling under the category of auspicious money. The term “Ping Zhong Lan Tai” conveys blessings for the possessor to attain a high status akin to the Lan Tai. The halberd (戟) depicted on the reverse side corresponds phonetically to “auspicious” (吉) and “rank” (及), symbolizing auspicious blessings for success in the imperial examination.Lan Tai” symbolizes the Censorate, derived from the Eastern Han dynasty historian Ban Gu’s appointment as an official historian of the Lan Tai, tasked with writing history by imperial decree.

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. Due to their non-circulatory nature, these coins typically exhibit coarse craftsmanship, lacking standardized weight and dimensions, and featuring varied designs. Consequently, these coins are collectively referred to as charm coins within folk parlance.

物件編號: A342

年代: 未知

材料: 銅

尺寸: 51.73 x 51.73 mm

重量: 37.85 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「品重蘭台」花錢，背面繪有四人持戟圖，屬於吉語錢類別。「品重蘭台」意旨祝福持有者品位高至蘭台。背面的戟音同「吉」、「及」，有吉祥以及祝福金榜提名之意。蘭台代表御史台，因東漢史學班固曾任蘭台令史，受詔撰史而得此稱呼。

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。由於不用於流通，所以它們的鑄工大都比較粗糙，重量和尺寸亦沒有統一的標準，形制上更是各有不同。因此，民間將這種有錢幣的外形，卻不能發揮流通作用的錢幣，統稱為「花錢」。