1 Cash - Kaiping yuanbao; Tin imitation

Weight

1.12 g

Diameter

20.5 mm

Thickness

0.75 mm

Material

Tin

Shape

Round with a square hole

Edge Type

Plain

Technique

NA

Front design

Four Chinese ideograms read clockwise.

Back design

Plain

Year of Minting

NA

Ruler

NA

Mint location

NA

Mint mark

NA

Orientation

NA

Inscriptions

Obverse: 開 寶　平 元

Context

Tin local imitation of a chinese cash coin from Kaiping yuanbao in seal script. Found in Musi River (Sumatra, Indonesia). Different sizes are possible: See pic.... In 1710 tin ore deposits were found on nearby Bangka Island, then controlled by the Sultan of Palembang. The quantity of tin coins minted in the area henceforth increased dramatically and consisted of two types: the first issued under the direct authority of the sultan, mainly small in size with Malay script, and the second issued for the Chinese mining communities on Bangka Island who were allowed to pay a third of their wages in locally produced coins. This situation continued until the Dutch garrison was massacred by a local force in 1811, preceeding the occupation of Java and Sumatra by the British in 1812. They remained in control until 1816, resulting in the minting of a very distinct issue of Pitis identifying Palembang as part of the state of 'Inglistan' (lot 1417).

Rarity

Ultra rare

Coin type

Standard circulation

In circulation

No

Demonetized

Yes

Marketplace listings

0