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!
Qing Dynasty
Kangxi Tongbao
Bao quan Bureau
(Flower Coin Version)
清
康熙通寶
寶泉局造
(花錢版)
Item number: A342
Year: AD 1661-1722
Material: Brass
Size: 27.8 x 27.8 x 0.8 mm
Weight: 4.0 g
Manufactured by: Bao Quan Bureau
Provenance: Fuchin Coin 2024
This is a flower coin from the reign of the Qing Dynasty’s third emperor, Kangxi (AD 1661-AD 1722). It was originally a circulating currency coin, “Kangxi Tongbao,” minted by the Bao Quan Bureau, which was overseen by the Ministry of Revenue in the capital. The coin features intricate engravings on both sides of its outer rim.
The coin is circular with a square hole in the center, primarily made of brass. The coin features a design of concentric circles, with the outer circle displaying a brass colour and the inner circle, which contains the inscriptions, exhibiting a brown hue. On the obverse side, the outer circle showcases intricate carvings, with symmetrical four-petal floral and foliage patterns at the top and bottom. On the left side, there are delicate willow branches, a common motif in Chinese floral art.
The inner circle, centred around the square hole, has the characters “Kangxi Tongbao” inscribed in regular script at the top, bottom, right, and left positions, respectively.
On the reverse side, the outer circle features a cross-shaped floral and foliage pattern and X-shaped large leaf motifs. The inner circle is covered with a layer of rust-green patina, distinguishing it from coins minted elsewhere. Additionally, both Manchu and Chinese characters are used to denote the place of minting, which is unusual.
For mints under central administration like the “Bao Quan Bureau” and “Bao Yuan Bureau,” the inscriptions are entirely in Manchu. On this coin, the left and right sides of the inner circle bear the Manchu characters “Bao Quan,” indicating the name of the mint.
After the Manchus established the Qing Empire following their conquest of the Ming Dynasty, they maintained the central-level institutions responsible for coinage, namely the “Bao Quan Bureau” and “Bao Yuan Bureau.” The former, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Revenue, handled fiscal taxation, while the latter, overseen by the Ministry of Works, was responsible for construction projects.
Upon Emperor Kangxi’s accession to the throne in the 18th year of the Shunzhi era (AD 1661), the Ministry of Revenue was tasked with designing the “Kangxi Tongbao” and distributing instructions to local mints across the realm. Despite periodic suspensions of minting activities at the local level during Kangxi’s reign due to policy shifts, the central-level Bao Quan Bureau remained unaffected.