Mother coin of a popular Emperor

Qing Dynasty. China.

Emperor Yong Zheng. 1722-1735.

Yong Zheng Tong Bao. Boo Je (zhejiang mint). Mother/mold coin. 27mm. 8g.

One of China's more popular emperors, Yong Zheng left a strong administration after the death of his father the Kangxi Emperor which at the cost of wars and rebellion left the imperial treasury in dire deficit. One of the hardest working emperors in history, he was known to be extremely industrious which many beloved led to his early death. Nonetheless, he left a string empire which helped set the foundation for his son the Qianlong Emperor which saw a period of peace and strength for China.

This coin is a mother or mold coin which was hand carved on high quality brass and used to imprint impressions on molds for general circulated coins. Thus they are also heavier and thicker not to mention rare.

 

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So that is what mother coins look like. I will probably never own one because I assume they are all fake. Thanks for sharing!

 

Fakes are possible. But need to look at the fabric in detail. Mother coins are carved and often contains many scratches and evidences of engraving. Also, weight and characters should confirm to known specimens.

 

Compare with a specimen from heritage auctions https://coins.ha.com/itm/china/qing...-Inventory-BuyNowFromOwner-ThisAuction-120115

 

I always wondered how they got all the coin molds to look the same. Now I know.

Fantastic mother coin. Thanks for sharing.

 

Very cool, I don't have any mother coins in my collection. (I've also seen these referred to as "seed cash".)

 

Thanks.. you are right with the term seed cash. They are distinguished by their sharper details and often thicker heavier flans. Some have their central hole.punched

 

that is a nice artifact! i have a few coins left over that i didn't give out as xmas gifts of this emperor i believe..i had attribution to these, but i'd have to look it up as i haven't dealt with them in a while.

 

Thank you. The Yong Zheng emperor's coins are probably the most popular of the Qing coinage. Not that they are rare but rather he was among one of the shortest reigned and well liked by historians as an able administrator. A tv series from China dying the 2000s propelled his fame and the demand caused his coinage to fetch a premium

 

Thats pretty neat

 

Thank you.. I am also partial to Yong Zheng as well. Having a mother coin of his is like the cherry on the icing..

 

Pretty cool, Loong-S (congrats)

 

neat! i would have just assumed that was some type of fake or charm.

 

That is a fantastic find @Loong Siew!

 

That is a fantastic find @Loong Siew!

 

Thanks @Alegandron .. my only mother coin

 

That is a fantastic find @Loong Siew!