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 Charm Nie Ying Horse Coin
躡影 打馬錢
Item number: A116
Year: ND
Material: Bronze
Size: 30.07 x 30.09 mm
Weight: 11.6 g
Provenance:
1. Noonans 2022
2. D. L. F. Sealy Collection
This is an undated “Horse Coin” with no actual monetary function, designed in the style of traditional Chinese square-holed coins. The obverse side features the characters “Nie Ying,” which imply swiftness or rapid movement, alongside an image of a galloping horse with its legs extended. The reverse side is smooth and devoid of any images or inscriptions.
These coins, also known as “Dama Coins” or “Dama Grid Coins,” are a type of charm coin. They first appeared during the Tang and Song dynasties, particularly flourishing in the Song dynasty. The Dama game was popular among the people, who used Dama coins as pieces on a Dama game board.
The famous Song dynasty poetess Li Qingzhao provided a detailed description of this game in her writings. According to her, the coins were categorised into two types based on their design: “with horse and general” and “with horse but without general.” However, the specific gameplay and rules of this game have gradually been lost over time.
Flower coins, also known as “Yansheng coins” or “Yasheng 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.