Digital museum showcasing the collection of worldwide legends over the years! 千古不朽博物館展示多年來收藏的世界傳奇故事!
Northern Song Dynasty
Xiangfu Tongbao
(Regular Script Version 1)
北宋
祥符通寶
(楷書一版)
Item number: A809
Year: AD 1008-1016
Material: Bronze
Size: 24.3 x 24.3 x 1.3 mm
Weight: 4.5 g
Provenance:
1. Noonans 2022
2. D. L. F. Sealy Collection
This is a Xiangfu Tongbao coin from the Northern Song Dynasty, minted during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong (AD 1008-1016). “Xiangfu” was one of the era names used by Emperor Zhenzong, and the four characters on the coin, Xiangfu Tongbao, are arranged in a regular script. Symbolically, the phrase represents “Auspicious Omens,”reflecting the emperor’s hope for peace and prosperity in the realm.
From a design perspective, this Xiangfu Tongbao coin retains the typical features of Northern Song currency, with a round shape and a square hole in the centre. The square hole was a practical design, allowing coins to be strung together for ease of use.
The coin’s script is finely crafted, exemplifying the minting skills of the Northern Song period and reflecting the economic and cultural prosperity of the time.
The original reign title for this coin was Dazhong Xiangfu, named after Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty received a “heavenly script” believed to be an auspicious sign.
However, since the reign title “Dazhong” had already been used by Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, it was not possible to mint coins bearing this title. As a result, the reign title Xiangfu was divided into Tongbao and Yuanbao for minting.