Item number: A117

Year: ND

Material: Bronze

Size: 36.0 x 31.0 mm

Weight: 9.0 g

Provenance:

1. Noonans 2022

2. D. L. F. Sealy Collection

This is a coin that departs from the traditional square-holed design, instead mimicking the shape of a bat. The pronunciation of “bat” (biānfú) is like “fortune” (fú) in Chinese, leading to its recognition as a symbol of good luck. Consequently, bats are frequently incorporated into artistic creations and home decorations in Chinese culture.

The coin features inscriptions in seal script on both sides, centred around the square hole. On the obverse, the characters “Tài Níng” are inscribed from right to left, wishing the recipient peace and tranquillity. On the reverse, the characters “Fù Guì” are similarly inscribed, conveying wishes for wealth and honour.

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.

物件編號: A117

年代: 不明

材料: 青銅

尺寸: 36.0 x 31.0 mm

重量: 9.0 g

來源:

1. 諾南斯 2022

2. 大衛.萊斯利.福布斯.西利舊藏

這是一枚跳脫傳統的方孔錢外型，模仿蝙蝠形狀設計的花錢。蝙蝠的諧音跟「福」近似，華人將其視作幸運的象徵，經常應用於藝術創作或住家裝潢中。

錢幣正反兩面以方孔為基準，於左右兩側以篆書寫上吉語。正面從右至左是「泰寧」兩字，即祝福收禮人能平安順遂。背面則按相同順序，寫有「富貴」兩字。

花錢又稱厭勝錢、壓勝錢，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。