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Qing Dynasty
Daoguang Tongbao
Bao Su Bureau
(Privately Minted Version 1)
清
道光通寶
寶蘇局造
(私鑄一版)
Item number: A1144-3
Year: AD 1820-1850
Material: Brass
Size: 17.3 x 17.2 x 0.7 mm
Weight: 1.15 g
Manufactured by: Bao Su Bureau
Provenance:
1. Noonans 2022
2. D. L. F. Sealy Collection
This is a “Daoguang Tongbao” coin minted during the Daoguang era by the Baosu Mint in Jiangsu Province. The coin is of the typical square-holed design, made of brass. Due to its age, the surface details have experienced significant wear, making them less distinct.
The obverse side is inscribed with the Chinese characters “Daoguang Tongbao” in a sequence from top, bottom, right, and left. The characters “Daoguang” at the top and bottom are relatively broad and flat, while “Tongbao” on the right and left are more narrow and elongated. The reverse side features the Manchu script “ᠪᠣᠣ ᠰᡠ” (Bao Su) on the left and right sides, indicating the mint responsible for its production. This coin weighs only 1.15 g, suggesting that it may be a privately minted version produced unofficially by local entities outside of government control.
Towards the end of the reign of Daoguang’s father, Emperor Jiaqing, the empire began to face the problem of silver outflow, which led to a continuous rise in the price of silver. This made it impossible to maintain the traditional exchange rate of 1,000 copper coins to one tael of silver. The purchasing power of copper coins declined, creating a dilemma for the government, as the more copper coins they minted, the greater the financial losses incurred. As a result, provinces in the southwest increasingly reduced the weight of their coins, forcing the imperial court to eventually resort to halting minting altogether. By the end of the Daoguang reign, only four mints—Bao Quan, Bao Yong, Bao Guang, and Bao Zhe—continued official production. In other provinces, minting was largely conducted by local officials in an unofficial capacity.
Daoguang was the seventh emperor of the Qing dynasty, known for an incident during his time as crown prince in which he personally shot and killed two assassins from the Tianli sect who had infiltrated the Forbidden City using a bird gun. Upon his accession to the throne, the most notable and historically significant event of his reign was the Opium War, which began in the 20th year of Daoguang’s reign (AD 1840) between the Qing Empire and Britain. The conflict arose over disputes regarding opium trade and free trade policies. Following the Qing defeat, the imperial court was forced to sign the Treaty of Nanking, ceding Hong Kong Island to Britain. This marked the collapse of the traditional East Asian tributary system and the beginning of European-led modernization in the region.