The series of Xianfeng coin layouts (Self-colllected and self-engraved collection of Xianfeng coins)

Author: Qi Zongyou
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-11-01
Features: The Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty (1851-1861) was a period of significant monetary chaos in Chinese history, following the chaotic currency system introduced by Wang Mang's Baohuo policy. During this time, the Opium War had just ended, the Taiping Rebellion had risen, and the country faced frequent internal and external crises. Military expenses were soaring, and national finances were increasingly strained. In the third year of the Xianfeng era, the Ministry of Revenue began minting large coins to meet the state's expenses. Subsequently, various regional minting bureaus submitted proposals to establish factories and foundries. Over a decade, monetary 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 lighter coins being more valuable than heavier ones. 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-era 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 minted by the same bureau often shared identical minting features, forming distinct systems. He was the first to propose the term "coin type series." This method of categorizing coins by minting series, rather than simply listing their denominations and individual minting features as in previous coin catalogues, is more scientific and systematic. This book is a of this research. Another feature of the book is that each coin is accompanied by measurements of its size, thickness, and weight, providing readers with more original data and reference information. We believe that the publication of 《Xianfeng Coin Type Series—Collected and Rubbed Xianfeng Coins》 will be widely welcomed by readers.