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Northern Song Dynasty
Zhiping Yuanbao
(Regular Script Version)
北宋
治平元寶
(楷書版)
Item number: A903
Year: AD 1064-1067
Material: Bronze
Size: 24.2 x 24.1 x 0.9 mm
Weight: 2.7 g
Provenance:
1. Noonans 2022
2. D. L. F. Sealy Collection
This is a “Zhiping Yuanbao” coin minted during the reign of Emperor Yingzong, the fifth emperor of the Northern Song Dynasty, using his era name. Emperor Yingzong ruled for only four years before passing away due to illness, resulting in the use of only one era name during his reign.
The coin follows the typical square-holed design. On the obverse side, the four Chinese characters “Zhiping Yuanbao” are inscribed in regular script in the clockwise order.
The reverse side of the coin is plain, without any inscriptions or designs. The “Zhiping Yuanbao” coins are classified by calligraphy into regular script and seal scriptversions.
During the Song Dynasty, in addition to bronze coins, one notable feature was the widespread circulation of iron coins, a phenomenon rarely seen in other dynasties. This practise arose primarily for two reasons: first, the domestic shortage of copper resources; and second, the need to prevent copper coins from flowing into the hands of northern rival states, such as the Western Xia, Liao, and Jin. As a result, the Song court initially began minting iron coins, and later introduced early forms of paper money, such as Jiaozi and Huizi, as alternative currency.