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Li Wen mao
Pingjing Shengbao
李文茂
平靖勝寶
Item number: A609
Year: AD 1857
Material: Brass
Size: 26.4 x 26.2 x 1.2 mm
Weight: 5.85 g
Provenance:
1. Noonans 2022
2. D. L. F. Sealy Collection
This is a coin from the late Qing Dynasty’s Dachen Kingdom, established by Li Wenmao. The background of this period was marked by peasant dissatisfaction with the Qing government, and the Dachen Kingdom was a rebel regime set up in the Guangzhou area.
In AD 1855, Li Wenmao, in collaboration with the secret society known as the Triad, successfully captured Xunzhou and established the Dachen Kingdom, proclaiming himself the Pingjing King. In AD 1857, Li Wenmao captured Liuzhou in Guangxi, established the Pingjing Royal Palace, and minted the “Pingjing Shengbao” coin. However, the good times did not last. In AD 1858, Li Wenmao was severely wounded in fierce battles with the Qing government and soon passed away. The Dachen Kingdom he established was subsequently eradicated by the Qing government in AD 1861.
The “Pingjing Shengbao” coin has some damage and corrosion on its obverse, yet the inscriptions remain visible. “Pingjing Shengbao” The four characters are read from top to bottom and right to left. The reverse side of the coin features the names of various military units of the time, including “Front Camp,” “Rear Camp,” “Right Camp,” “Central Camp,” “Imperial Forest Army,” and “Ever-Victorious Army,”in seven different inscriptions.
The coin is mistakenly believed to have been minted by Hong Xiuquan of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. In fact, this is incorrect. The Taiping Kingdom typically used the character “聖” (Saint) on their coins rather than “勝” (Victory) and did not have military units named “Imperial Forest Army” or “Ever-Victorious Army.” The character “勝” was specifically used by the various branches of the Tiandihui (Heaven and Earth Society) for naming purposes, and since the coin features the inscription “Pingjing,” it is clear that it was minted by Li Wenmao.
The “Pingjing Shengbao” coin is unique in Chinese history as the only coin directly named after a series of military units, making it highly distinctive and of great collectible value.