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
Guangdong Province Bureau
(Small Manchu Script Version)
清
康熙通寶
廣東省局造
(小滿文版)
Item number: A1030
Year: AD 1668-1670
Material: Brass
Size: 25.2 x 25.1 x 0.8 mm
Weight: 3.15 g
Manufactured by: Guangdong 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 Guangdong Province. It bears the inscription “Kangxi Tongbao.”
The coin has a typical square-holed design and is made of brass. 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 “ᡤᡠᠸᠠᠩ” and the Chinese character “Guang.”
Compared to another coin in the museum’s collection, the Manchu characters on the left side of this coin’s reverse are smaller in size, but the strokes are more neatly executed.
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 Guangdong Province Bureau began producing Kangxi Tongbao coins in the 7th year of the Kangxi era (AD 1668). However, it ceased production in the 9th year (AD 1670), resulting in a very limited issuance of these coins.