The Series of Xianfeng Coin Formats -- Self-Collected and Self-Replicated Collection of Xianfeng Coins

Author: Qi Zongyou
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-11-01
Features: The Xianfeng era (1851-1861) of the Qing Dynasty was another period of extremely chaotic currency system in Chinese history, following the Wang Mang's system of currency reform. During this time, after the Opium War and the rise of the Taiping Rebellion, the country faced frequent internal and external crises, with military expenses increasing and national finances. In the third year of the Xianfeng reign, the Ministry of Revenue began to cast large coins to meet government expenses. Subsequently, numerous local minting bureaus submitted proposals to establish factories and furnaces. Over a decade, currency policies changed rapidly, leading to a complex and disordered coinage system. Coin values ranged from small to large denominations, but due to repeated debasement, they exhibited inconsistencies in weight, with some being disproportionately heavy or light. In addition to paper money, the materials used for coins included copper, iron, and lead. Such a diverse range of coins has brought endless joy to coin experts and enthusiasts in collecting and studying them. Mr. Qi Zongyou has dedicated over two decades to the study of Xianfeng coins, excelling in both collection and ink rubbing. He has amassed over a thousand pieces of actual coins. Through long-term observation and comparison, he discovered that certain coins of different denominations cast by the same bureau often shared identical minting features, forming their own systems. He was the first to propose the term "series of coin types." This method of classifying coins by series, rather than simply listing their features under individual denominations as in previous coin catalogs, is more scientific and systematic. This book is a of this research achievement. Another feature of the book is that each coin is labeled with its dimensions, thickness, and weight, providing readers with more original data and reference information. We believe that the publication of "Series of Coin Types of Xianfeng Coins—Collected and Rubbed Xianfeng Coins" will be widely welcomed by readers.