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Ming Dynasty
Taichang Tongbao
明 泰昌通寶
Item number: A966
Year: AD 1621
Material: Brass
Size: 24.9 x 24.9 x 0.8 mm
Weight: 3.4 g
Provenance:
1. Noonans 2022
2. D. L. F. Sealy Collection
This is a coin minted in AD 1621, the first year of Emperor Xizong’s reign, bearing the era name “Taichang,” which was that of his father, Emperor Guangzong, who tragically died just one month after ascending the throne. The coin was minted as an expression of filial piety toward his late father.
The coin features the typical square-holed design. On the obverse side, the four characters “Taichang Tongbao” (泰昌通寶) are inscribed in regular script in the sequence of top, bottom, right, and left. The reverse side is plain, without any inscriptions or designs. As a supplementary minted coin, the “Taichang Tongbao” was produced in limited quantities but is known for its elegant design. It typically circulated alongside the “Tianqi Tongbao” coins, which were minted under Emperor Xizong’s own reign title.
Emperor Guangzong of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Changluo, was the eldest son of Emperor Shenzong (Wanli Emperor) and was rightfully the heir apparent. However, his position as Crown Prince was challenged by the birth of another son to Emperor Shenzong’s favoured concubine, Consort Zheng. During Emperor Shenzong’s reign, Consort Zheng twice attempted to assassinate Zhu Changluo, leading to the infamous “Tingji Incident,” one of the most severe court intrigues since the founding of the Ming Dynasty.
On the first day of the eighth lunar month in AD 1620, Zhu Changluo successfully ascended the throne as emperor. Despite his dedication and hands-on approach to governance, his health quickly deteriorated. Seizing the opportunity, Consort Zheng arranged for several beauties to serve the emperor, leading to his physical exhaustion. Eleven days later, while celebrating his birthday, Emperor Guangzong fell gravely ill and was bedridden. The emperor’s condition worsened after receiving treatment from imperial physicians, which caused severe side effects like diarrhoea.
Subsequently, an official named Li Kezhuo from the Honglu Temple presented the emperor with a red pill, which seemed to improve his strength. However, when the emperor requested a second pill, he suddenly died in bed the following day, having reigned for only one month. This incident, known as the “Red Pill Case,” is one of the three great mysteries of the late Ming Dynasty.