China, Song Dynasty, Emperor Huizong, "Da Guan Tong Bao" Coin

These copper coins, inscribed with 大觀通寶 (Da Guan Tong Bao), were minted under Emperor Huizong of China's Northern Song dynasty in the early 12th century. They are prized for their unusually elegant script, which reflects Emperor Huizong's personal passion for the arts and calligraphy.

The Northern & Southern Song Dynasty:

Established in AD 960, the Song Dynasty brought relative stability in China despite continuing conflict with the Tartars and Mongols. By AD 1127, the northern provinces were lost to them, and the capitol was moved from the north to the south. The Song Dynasty is thus often divided into the Northern Period (Bei) and Southern Period (Nan), as the dynasty ruled exclusively in South China after 1127.

The early Northern Song Dynasty flourished culturally and economically. Bronze coins were originally the primary currency. Bronze coins were widely circulated and sometimes exported to neighboring regions. The use of bronze cash coins began to decline, however, during the Southern Nan period. In part, this was because the southern capitol Lin’an (modern day Hangzhou) was not near any significant copper deposits, leading to a decrease in production. Production shifted to iron coins beginning in 1180 until the end of the Song Dynasty, and the Song Dynasty also introduced paper money.

While bronze coins became more rare, they continued to play an important economic role. They remained the standard for measuring the value of other currency, and the government continued to use them in combination with paper and silver money to pay salaries.

The scarcity did lead to economic challenges, however, including “currency famines," which forced the Song government to adapt their monetary policy and establish a permanent system of paper money.

Each includes a Certificate of Authenticity and is guaranteed genuine.