Description: | Zhengde tongbao (coinage of True Virtue). Circular coin, finely cast in copper alloy with a square central hole. There is a four-character inscription in regular script (kaishu) on the obverse reading 'zhengde tongbao', with 'zheng' above the hole, 'de' below, 'tong' to the right and 'bao' to the left. There are inner and outer rims on both the obverse and reverse. The reverse of the coin is decorated, possibly with a dragon and phoenix, symbolic of imperial power. The coin is in very good condition. Description Source: Cresswell, O.D. 1971. Chinese Cash. London: Spink and Son, p. 39, no. 256 Schjoth, F. 1976. Chinese Currency: The Currency of the Far East. London: Andrew Publishing Company, p. 48, no. 1179 Cribb, J. 2002. 'China, Other Arts: Coins', The Grove Dictiona |