Chinese coin from the North and South Dynasties period

China. North and South Dynasties period, Northern Wei, Emperor Xiao Zhuang, Yong An period (c.529 CE). AE cash (22 mm). Obverse: Four characters in archaic script, read top-bottom-right-left "Yong An Wu Zhu" (Yong An [period] Five Zhu [weight]), rim around edge. Reverse: Blank, rims around center hole and edge (reverse is off-center). Hartill 13.23, Schjoth 239, FD 608. This coin: Frank S. Robinson fixed-price list, May 2025.

The North and South Dynasties period (420- 581 CE) was a time of great unrest in China, with both the northern and southern regions under the control of competing dynasties, often with civil wars. Despite this, the time was culturally rather productive, with Buddhism becoming well established and Taoism also prospering, and the arts and sciences generally flourishing. The Northern Wei dynasty (386-535 CE) was of mixed descent, originating from a tribal confederation of mainly proto-Mongol and Turkic origin. Writers in the Southern, Han-ruled dynasties sometimes called the Northern Wei "plaited barbarians", in reference to their hairstyles. All men in the kingdom were required to braid their hair into a single tail, which was then rolled onto the top of the head and hidden under a cap. Over time, the Northern Wei adopted many Chinese traditions and lost much of their cultural distinctiveness (this is a recurring theme in Chinese history: non-Han dynasties gradually become more Sinicized). The Northern Wei also build a large portion of the "Great Wall" (which is actually a series of structures built by various dynasties over a period of many centuries). Emperor Xiao Zhuang came to the throne in 528; he was appointed by the powerful general Erzhu Rong, who overthrew and killed the Empress Dowager Hu and the two-year nominal emperor. General Erzhu and Emperor Xiao Zhuang had some initial distrust of each other, but reached an uneasy alliance, which was solidified when Erzhu's daughter married Xiao Zhuang. General Erzhu then led campaigns against several rebels as well as the rival Liao Dynasty. However, by late 530, Xiao Zhuang had again become fearful of Erzhu and had him killed. Early the next year, Erzhu's cousin and nephew managed to capture Xiao Zhuang and executed him.

Coins with the inscription Wu Zhu were cast over a period of about seven centuries by various different dynasties, starting in 118 BCE and finally ending with the Sui Dynasty unification of China in 581 CE. The coins started out at their nominal weight of five (wu) zhu, about 3.25 grams, though many later issues are far below this standard. Some issues, like this, can be precisely dated due to including additional characters, but others can only be attributed very generally. This type (yong an wu zhu) was first issued in the second year of the Yong An period (529 CE); Hartill indicates it may have continued to be cast until 543 CE, with many unofficial versions also existing. Also, on this specimen the reverse is clearly off center, due to the reverse mold not being perfectly aligned with the obverse mold during casting. This coin is a reminder of an exciting and turbulent period of Chinese history. Please post whatever related coins you have.

 

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Pigeon on a Peach Branch by Emperor Huizong

Hi @Parthicus, as always I appreciate to stretch of awareness into eastern regions. I don't have much to offer in this category - this coin from half a millenium later than the one you share is from an emperor who was derided with the title Duke of Confused Virtue.

Emperor Huizong (宋徽宗, personal name: Zhao Ji, 1082-1135) was the eighth and penultimate ruler of the Northern Song dynasty. His reign goes from unparalleled cultural splendor to dynastic catastrophe.

After the death of his elder brother Emperor Zhezong without an heir, Zhao Ji ascended the throne at when he was about 18 years old. A gifted painter, calligrapher, poet, musician, Huizong transformed the palace into the foremost artistic center of East Asia. Huizong delegated statecraft to a set of powerful ministers. By exploiting the treasury, silencing dissenting officials, and committing disastrous diplomatic and military blunders, Huizong’s chief ministers left the empire bankrupt, friendless, and militarily exposed.

An alliance with the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty, Alliance Conducted at Sea (海上之盟) was his downfall. According to the alliance, the Song would supply money and men; the Jin would crush their mutual enemy, the Khitan Liao. After defeating Liao, the Jin grew impatient with the Northern Song and decided it was easier to conquer than to partner.

Jingkang Catastrophe: faced with the Jin invasion, Huizong abdicated to his son Emperor Qinzong in January 1126, hoping to shield the throne as the Jin invaded. In March/April 1127 Jin forces sacked Bianjing (Kaifeng), looted the imperial collections, and deported both emperors and thousands of courtiers northward.

Captivity and death: Reduced to the humiliating title 昏德公 (Hunde Gong) in 1128.昏德公 (Hunde Gong) translates literally as 昏 (hun) meaning "dark, muddled, or besotted"; 德 (de) is "virtue"; 公 (gong) is the noble rank of "duke". The title is variously translated as "Duke Hunde", "Muddle-headed Duke" or "Duke of Confused Virtue". Huizong spent eight years confined in Manchuria, dying on 4 June 1135 at age 53.

Aftermath: His reign’s collapse ended the Song dynasty with one notable exception. Contemporary sources record 33 sons for Emperor Huizong - 31 born during the Northern Song court years and two (Zhao Wanshi and Zhao Tieshi) born later in Jurchen captivity—of whom only the ninth son, Zhao Gou (Emperor Gaozong), ultimately survived the Jingkang calamity. After fleeing Kaifeng the court re-establish itself in Hangzhou and created a de facto southern successor state where Emperor Gaozong reigned until 1187 when he died without an heir.
Northern Song Dynasty. Emperor Hui Zong. 1101-1125. AE 2 cash (30mm, 7.3g) / Smooth. Hartill 16.393; Schjoth 614.


"The Painting of Listening to the Qin", Huizhong playing the qin detail from a larger work via Wikipedia. "the painting depicts Emperor Huizong, after being declared the "supreme Emperor of the Daoist Church" in April of the seventh year of the Zhenghe era (1117 AD), receiving court officials, playing the qin, discussing Daoism, and conveying subtle messages through art." ... "the melody of the qin representing the moral guidance of the monarch being received and followed by his subjects." (Source: here)

This instrument, named (The Idea of) Stones among the Pine Trees (松石間意 Songshi Jianyi), was auctioned in 2010 as from the collection of Huizhong and is said to have sold for $20M. (see: https://silkqin.com/09hist/qinshixu/huizong.htm)