Xin Dynasty AE Huo Bu bronze spade coin: Emperor Wang Mang.

China - Xin Dynasty.
Wang Mang
AE. Bronze Huo Bu (9-23 CE)
Hartill 9.30


Well, it was bound to happen. Once you go for ancient Chinese washers, then spades, knives, fish, and all other sorts of crazy exotic money is soon to follow.

Show me your spades, or leave a comment.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Nice example. As they were supremely unpopular most encountered are EF to Mint State.

 

That is super cool.

How big is it?

John

 

that's a rather personal question isn't it sir?!(jk, monty python flying circus ref.)

 

58mm x 22mm and 16.12g.

Think of it basically as a large odd-shaped coin, but still of a convenient size enough to allow it to be strung up together with others and be easily transportable to make payments for large transactions. The rust one usually finds around the holes of these spades is from the iron wire that was used to string these together.

 

@Ken Dorney, I got the first coin two days ago, the Wang Mang that turned out to be privately minted. Very lovely little coin. I can't wait to get the rest. To be honest, the thing I'm awaiting most anxiously is the fish money.

 

that is a nice multi purpose item there big O.. they could use it either as money or a farming implement. i have a few with 1 simular, however, i'm not sure from exactly where. 1 square shoulder and 2 round shoulder with 3 holes

 

I knew I had a few around here somewhere.....

 

Next time before I buy one, I think I'll ask you first. You have a bloody fortune in spades. LOL.

 

...now where did i put those spades...

 

Unfortunately the 3 holed ones look suspicious. Nonetheless the Wang Mang Is superb..

 

is that what it is a Wang Mang? yeah, they could be counterfeits. i can't say they arent' for sure.

 

The 3 holes are one of China's rarest coins. Also the sticker itself mentioned it was during the Zhou Dynasty which is centuries before Wang Mang

 

I don't have a Wang Mang spade, but I do have this earlier spade type:

China, Warring States period, c.350-250 BC. State of Liang. From a Steve Album auction.

 

yeah, i got them several years ago when i was going thru my China phase of buying artifacts,

 

Nice spade @Sallent

Not a Wang Mang spade, but a couple earlier ones:


CHINA - ZHOU Dynasty, 1122-255 BC square foot spade 350-250 BC AN YANG - 3 lines rev bronze 31x52mm 7.45g H3.184 S13+


China Zhou Dyn 1122-255 BC AE Small Sq Ft Spade An Yang 30x45mm 5.27g H3.182 S-13+

 

on the list....

 

I have a few others lying about, like 10 Cash Chong Ning Tong Bao of Hui Zong....

 

Nice pickup @Sallent! That spade is nicer then both of my examples. The rusty patina around the hole makes me think that is was buried while attached to an iron wire. Very interesting.

As @Ken Dorney said, these are rarely seen worn. When you do see a worn one, it is either fake or, if you look at the upper part of the hole, you will see it was used on a necklace (or something) as a charm.



Several of my other spades. I have a few (four I think) more not in this picture, two of which are going to be shared in future threads.

Actually, they could not be used as a farming implement for reasons I will explain in a future thread.

Unfortunately, I will tell you that all of the slades in that picture are fakes.

I am going to have to visit your shop sometime.

 

fortunately, you already have