Item number: A739

Year: AD 1735-1796

Material: Brass

Size: 24.9 x 24.8 x 0.9 mm

Weight: 3.9 g

Manufactured by: Bao Guang Bureau

Provenance:

1. Noonans 2022

2. D. L. F. Sealy Collection

This coin, a “Qianlong Tongbao,” was issued by the Bao Guang mint in Guangdong Province during the reign of the Qing Dynasty’s sixth emperor, Qianlong (AD 1735–AD 1796). It features the characteristic square-hole design.

The coin’s outer and inner rims, along with the central square hole, are clearly defined. The reverse side shows significant wear but remains legible. The inner rim on the obverse is inscribed with the four Chinese characters “Qianlong Tongbao,” while the inner rim on the reverse bears the two Manchu characters “ᠪᠣᠣ ᡤᡠᠸᠠᠩ” (Bao Guang).

The “Qianlong Tongbao” is more refined in both calligraphy and casting quality than the “Yongzheng Tongbao”. However, in the fifth year of Qianlong’s reign (AD 1740), 2% tin was added to the copper coins, creating a form of bronze. Although this was intended as a measure against counterfeiting, it effectively reduced the coin’s weight. Consequently, various provincial mints petitioned to lower the coin’s weight, leading to a surge in counterfeit currency.

物件編號: A739

年代: 公元 1735-1796 年

材質: 黃銅

尺寸: 24.9 x 24.8 x 0.9 mm

重量: 3.9 g

製造地: 寶廣局

來源:

這是清朝第六任皇帝乾隆在位期間(公元1735至1796年)，由廣東省轄的「寶廣局」發行之「乾隆通寶」，其外觀為方孔錢。

錢幣的外廓、內廓和中央的方孔清晰。反面磨損嚴重，不過仍可辨識。正面的內廓鐫刻漢字「乾隆通寶」四字，背面的內廓則鐫刻滿文「ᠪᠣᠣ ᡤᡠᠸᠠᠩ」（寶廣）二字。

乾隆通寶不論是在書法或者鑄工都較雍正通寶精美。然而在乾隆5年(公元1740年)在銅錢裡加了百分之二的錫，使之成為「青銅」，雖然是為了對付私鑄幣，事實上無異減重，使之地方錢局紛紛要求減重，使得私鑄幣十分猖獗。