Kingdom of Kucha. 5th--6th century. Wu Zhu cash coin with undeciphered Kuchean (Tocharian?) Script on reverse. Hartill 10.48. Standard issue 1.93g and Rare double weighted issue 4.19g. Ex-Album. Located in modern day Kucha County in Xinjiang, China, the ancient kingdom of Kucha was a very important state located en-route an oasis along the Silk Road. The Chinese named them as Qiuzi 龟兹 which was likely an Old Chinese pronunciation of the kingdoms name. The Chinese influence was no doubt significant at least on the economic front where the adoption of the Wu Zhu coinage clearly demonstrated the adherence to the Han Dynasty and subsequent Chinese Dynasties before the Tang reform. Interestingly, a certain level of nationalist identity was maintained by the inclusion of the Kuchean characters which until today have yet to be deciphered.
OR perhaps the Da Li Yuan Bao and Jian Zhong Tong Bao? These were the garrison issues of the late Tang.
Yup.. got those 2. The 134 and 132 variants I don't have.. and I am eyeing oUT for the last and elusive Gao Chang Ji Li to hit the 100%.
Wonderful posts @Loong Siew ! I am dabbling in Chinese and other Asian coinage due to my many years of bidness travel there. I keep edging closer and closer to begin seriously collecting them... Your posts and threads continually compell me! ...oh, and @Ancientnoob is guilty in his postings too...
Thanks @Alegandron .. I'm glad to be able to influence or introduce more western collectors to Oriental coinage. @Ancientnoob too has been a great reference and guilty of introducing me to a lot of coinage that I haven't even seen or knew existed..
Yeah, you all turned me on to the Shakya Janapada AR 5-shana coin a while ago... Cherished in my collection!
That piece is also a cherished piece in my collection.. a relic from the time of the Buddha.. a special sentiment for me
