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Qing Dynasty
Guangxu Tongbao
Bao Jin Bureau
(Small coin &Privately Minted Version 1)
清 光緒通寶
寶津局造
(私鑄版小錢一版)
Item number: A600
Year: AD 1887-1900
Material: Brass
Size: 20.6 x 20.3 x 0.8 mm
Weight: 1.65 g
Manufactured by: Bao Jin Bureau
Provenance:
1. Noonans 2022
2. D. L. F. Sealy Collection
This coin was minted by the Bao Jin Bureau in Tianjin and is identified as a “Guangxu Tongbao.” It was produced by the traditional recasting method. It is lighter than the standard weight, and there are multiple imperfections around the square hole at the centre.
This is a square-holed coin. On the obverse side, there is a square hole at the centre, surrounded by the four characters “Guangxu Tongbao”. The reverse side also features a square hole at the centre, with Manchu script on both sides reading “Bao Jin,” indicating that it was minted by the Bao Jin Bureau. The coin’s finish is uneven on both sides, and there are noticeable imperfections around the sloped edges of the square hole.
The Bao Jin Bureau was established during the Qing Dynasty’s Self-Strengthening Movement, as part of a series of modernisation measures. It represented a significant stage in the transition of minting techniques to mechanised production. In the 12th year of Guangxu (AD 1886), Prince Yixuan and others petitioned the court to establish a mechanised minting factory. The following year, the Bao Jin Bureau was founded, under the jurisdiction of the the Tianjin Arsenal.
Due to the initial lack of advanced mechanised technology, the Guangxu Tongbao minted by the Bao Jin Bureau, were produced using both the old and new methods. This Guangxu Tongbao coin was minted by the old method. According to an imperial decree issued in the 13th year of the Guangxu reign (AD 1887), all provinces were required to mint Tongbao coins with a standard weight of “one mace.” However, this particular Guangxu Tongbao coin falls significantly short of the standard weight.
Additionally, there are noticeable defects around the square hole, raising the possibility that it was either privately counterfeited or produced with substandard materials by official mints.