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Northern Song Dynasty
Xiangfu Yuanbao
(Privately Minted Version)
北宋
祥符元寶
(私鑄版)
Item number: A852
Year: AD 1008-1016
Material: Bronze
Size: 24.2 x 24.1 x 0.8 mm
Weight: 2.45g
Provenance:
1. Noonans 2022
2. D. L. F. Sealy Collection
This is a coin minted during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong of the Northern Song dynasty, known as a “reign title coin.”
The obverse of this coin features both an inner and outer rim, with the inscription “Xiangfu Yuanbao” written in running script, read in a clockwise direction. However, the surface has been eroded, making the characters indistinct. The reverse lacks any denomination or inscriptions. Weighing only 2.45 g, this coin is likely a privately minted piece.
The coin’s reign title is “Dazhong Xiangfu,” making it a double reign title coin. It was named after the “Heavenly Script,” a divine document that Emperor Zhenzong received, signifying auspicious omens. Since the “Dazhong” reign title had already been used by Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang dynasty, no coins could be minted under that name.
As a result, the title “Xiangfu” was divided into two coin types: Tongbao and Yuanbao.
Emperor Zhenzong built an enormous palace complex to house the “Heavenly Script” and even journeyed to Mount Tai for a ceremonial offering. During this period, he traced his ancestry back to “Zhao Xuanlang.”
To avoid the taboo associated with the character “Xuan” in his ancestor’s name, Zhenzong changed the name of the Black Tortoise deity (Xuanwu) to Zhenwu. He also altered Confucius’ posthumous title, changing “Xuansheng” to “Zhisheng” (Ultimate Sage). Most importantly, the emperor’s revered study of “Xuanxue” (Neo-Daoism) was renamed “Lixue” (Neo-Confucianism) due to these naming taboos.