Hartill 14.4 Schjoth 312 ff

Tang Dynasty: Kai Yuan (Middle Type, 718-732)

1 cash (cast bronze), 3.57 g., 24.50 mm.

Obv: Kai Yuan tong bao (left shoulder Yuan)

Rev: Blank

The Kai Yuan was the main coin issued by the Tang. It was cast for most of the dynasty, nearly 300 years. It was first issued by the Emperor Gao Zu in the Autumn of the fourth year of the Wu De Period (August 621). The inscription Kai Yuan tong bao (the Inaugural Currency) is the first to include the phrase tong bao. The Kai Yuan became the prototype for subsequent Chinese coinage.

Hartill rarity 13

ex Forvm Ancient Coins