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!
Qing Dynasty
Kangxi Tongbao
Hunan Province Bureau
清
康熙通寶
湖南省局造
Item number: A970
Year: AD 1667-1670 / 1683-1700
Material: Brass
Size: 24.8 x 24.8 x 0.7 mm
Weight: 2.9 g
Manufactured by: Hunan Province Bureau
Provenance:
1. Noonans 2022
2. D. L. F. Sealy Collection
This coin is a circulating currency piece from the reign of the third Qing Emperor, Kangxi (AD 1661-AD 1722), minted in Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province. It bears the inscription “Kangxi Tongbao.”
The coin has a typical square-holed design and is made of brass, with a red patina covering its surface. The obverse side is inscribed with the four Chinese characters “Kangxi Tongbao” in the order of top, bottom, right, and left. On the reverse side, the left and right sides are marked with the Manchu script “ᠨᠠᠨ” and the Chinese character “Nan.”
During the Kangxi period, in addition to the centrally administered mints of the “Bao Quan Bureau” and the “Bao Yuan Bureau,” 24 regional mints were established across various provinces.
The Hunan Province Bureau was established in the 6th year of Kangxi’s reign (AD 1667). After operating for four years, it ceased production and did not resume until the 22nd year of Kangxi’s reign (AD 1683). However, following its reopening, the mint’s coin quality was significantly poor, leading to an official order to cease operations again in the 39th year of Kangxi’s reign (AD 1700).