BCE 0118 - 0113 China, Western Han Dynasty, Junguo Wu Zhu Cash Coin, 118–113 BCE

Coin

Sean Massey & Loren Couch Collections

Name/Title

BCE 0118 - 0113 China, Western Han Dynasty, Junguo Wu Zhu Cash Coin, 118–113 BCE

Description

Junguo Wu Zhu Cash Coin Western Han Dynasty, China Attributed to the reign of Emperor Wu, ca. 118–113 BCE Cast copper alloy 25 mm; 3.54 g Obverse: 五銖 (wu zhu, “five zhu”); square central perforation; outer rim; bar or inner-rim feature below the hole Reverse: blank, with inner and outer rims Reference: Gratzer/Fishman B1.10, per seller attribution; Hartill unlisted This cast bronze cash coin belongs to the earliest phase of the long-lived Wu Zhu monetary system, introduced during the Western Han reforms of Emperor Wu. Its inscription, 五銖, names the coin by weight: “five zhu.” The square central opening allowed coins to be strung together for storage and circulation, while the raised rim helped protect the inscription and reduce metal loss through clipping. This example is attributed to the junguo issue, associated with minting by commanderies and principalities before full centralization of coin production. The small bar or inner-rim feature near the square hole belongs to a wider group of early Wu Zhu control marks whose precise administrative meaning remains uncertain, though such marks appear to have regional or chronological significance.

Create Date

May 20, 2026

Update Date

August 20, 2026