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Ming Dynasty
Hongzhi Tongbao
明 弘治通寶
Item number: A1079
Year: AD 1503-1507
Material: Bronze
Size: 24.0 x 24.2 x 1.0 mm
Weight: 3.45 g
Provenance:
1. Noonans 2022
2. D. L. F. Sealy Collection
This is a “Hongzhi Tongbao” coin, minted during the reign of the tenth emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Xiaozong, using his era name “Hongzhi.” The coin follows the typical square-holed design. On the obverse side, the four characters “Hongzhi Tongbao” (弘治通寶) are inscribed in running script in the sequence of top, bottom, right, and left. The reverse side is plain, without any inscriptions or designs. Due to wear over time, the boundaries of the coin’s outer and inner rims have been smoothed down.
The “Hongzhi Tongbao” coins can be categorised into two types based on the script style used: regular script and running script. Additionally, they can be further classified according to whether the “water” radical (氵) in the character “Zhi” (治) is connected or not. These variations provide a means to distinguish different die varieties of the coin.
Emperor Xiaozong of the Ming Dynasty began minting the “Hongzhi Tongbao” coins in the 16th year of his reign (AD 1503). However, due to his death two years later, the production of these coins was continued briefly by his successor, Emperor Wuzong, but it ceased in the 2nd year of the Zhengde era (AD 1507). As a result, the minting period for the “Hongzhi Tongbao” was less than four years, making these coins one of the rarer types among Ming Dynasty coinage.