Ming dynasty coinage

Chinese coinage in the Ming dynasty saw the production of many types of coins. During the Ming dynasty of China, the national economy was developed and its techniques of producing coinage were advanced. One early period example is the Bronze 1 cash. Obverse: "HUNG-WU T'UNG-P'AO" (洪武通寶). Reverse: blank. Average (18 specimens) 23.8 mm, 3.50 grams (the weight vary considerable and we have records of specimens from 2.2 to 4.1 grams).

Zhu Yuanzhang, better known as the Hongwu Emperor, proclaimed the Ming in 1368. It was originally based at Yingtian (now Nanjing) before being moved to Beijing by the Yongle Emperor in 1421.

From the founding of Ming until 1450, the emperors attempted to use paper currency, but this experienced the same hyperinflation as its predecessors. For the most part, the country was starved for silver in the early part of the dynasty and much trade occurred via barter; in later years, silver from Japan and Spain (through the Manila Galleon) flowed into the country and were traded as bullion now known as sycee. However, the emperors also periodically minted coins. Alongside copper coins cowrie shells continued to circulate during this period as well.

Usually, Chinese money is a round coin with a square hole in the center. On the obverse side, there are usually words indicating the emperor's reign name or era name. On the reverse side, there are words or graphic patterns often indicating denomination or a mint mark. It is also possible there is nothing on the reverse side. In the early period of the Ming dynasty, though, there were many different types of coin. Examples include:

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