Item number: A1107

Year: AD 1636-1911

Material: Brass

Size: 31.7 x 31.9 x 1.8 mm

Weight: 10.25 g

Provenance:

1. Noonans 2022

2. D. L. F. Sealy Collection

This is a Qing Dynasty-era “Zhengde Tongbao” coin, minted as a “flower coin” in the era name of the previous Ming Dynasty emperor, Emperor Wuzong. The coin follows the typical square-holed design. On the obverse side, the four characters “Zhengde Tongbao” (正德通寶) are inscribed in regular script in the sequence of top, bottom, right, and left. Surrounding the central inscription, the outer rim features a pair of dragons and phoenixes intricately engraved in relief, symbolically connected to the legendary tale of Emperor Zhengde’s romantic escapades, famously known as “The Dragon Plays with the Phoenix.” On the reverse side of the coin, the upper edge is inscribed with the character “Wen” (文), adding further significance to the piece.

“Zhengde” was the era name of Emperor Wuzong of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Houzhao, who reigned from AD 1505 to AD 1521. However, during his reign, no coins bearing his era name were officially minted. The name “Zhengde” carries the connotation of “upright virtue,” which led to the Qing Dynasty’s production of many flower coins known as “Zhengde Tongbao.”

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.

During Emperor Zhengde’s reign, many of his actions were considered eccentric, with his notorious establishment of the “Leopard House” within the palace being particularly famous. This flower coin features the “Dragon Playing with the Phoenix” (游龍戲鳳) imagery, which is based on a popular folk tale from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The story recounts how Emperor Wuzong, disguised in plain clothes, encountered a tavern woman named Li Fengjie.

Due to Emperor Wuzong being nicknamed the “Wandering Dragon” (游龍), this tale became intertwined with folk beliefs. People came to believe that wearing this flower coin while crossing rivers would ensure safe passage, making it a widely cherished token among the populace.

物件編號: A1107

年代: 公元 1636-1911 年

材質: 黃銅

尺寸: 31.7 x 31.9 x 1.8 mm

重量: 10.25 g

來源:

1. 諾南斯 2022

2. 大衛.萊斯利.福布斯.西利舊藏

這是一枚清朝時期以前朝皇帝明武宗的年號，所鑄造的「正德通寶」花錢。錢幣形制為典型的方孔錢。錢幣正面的正中央按上、下、右、左的順序，以楷書書法鐫刻漢字「正德通寶」四字。錢幣外廓則以陽刻的工法，鐫刻出一對龍鳳合璧，跟正德皇帝「游龍戲鳳」軼聞高度結合的圖案。錢幣背面的上緣則鐫刻一個漢字「文」。

正德為明武宗朱厚照的年號 (公元1505至1521年)，但在位時間並未鑄造自身的年號錢。明武宗的年號「正德」有「端正品德」的雅意，故後世的清朝鑄造大量以「正德通寶」之名的花錢。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。

正德皇帝在位期間有許多荒誕事蹟，其中以在宮內成立「豹房」的風流事蹟出名。這枚花錢的「游龍戲鳳」圖案，正是出自明清以來為民間所歡迎的，明武宗微服出巡認識酒店女子李鳳姐的風流逸事。由於明武宗被稱作「游龍」在穿鑿附會下，民間相信配戴此花錢渡江得以保平安，故受到民眾的歡迎。