cash Rare San Zhu (3-zhu) 119-118 BC, Emperor Wu, Western Han, China circulated

San Zhu ("3 zhu") // Blank. 24mm, 2.1 grams. Hartill 8.1; Gratzer/Fishman #3.112.

The Chinese Three Zhu (三銖, San Zhu) coins were short-lived bronze cash coins cast during 119–118 BCE in the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, as part of a sweeping reform of the Han monetary system abolishing the centuries-old Ban Liang coinage. Introduced after earlier experiments with heavier and lighter denominations, the San Zhu coins were round with a square central hole and bore the simple inscription 三銖, indicating their nominal weight of three zhu (around 2 grams). The coins circulated only briefly before being replaced by the more successful and durable Five Zhu (五銖) coinage in 118 BC, which became the backbone of Chinese currency for centuries. 

Verzendkosten