Lot 2725

Description

China, Ming Dynasty, forty cash issued 1368-1399, for Emperor Hung Wu, (see Davis p.645 & Pl.157, 'Ancient Chinese Paper Money..., Amer. Acad. of Arts & Sciences, Vol.53,7, June 1918). Nearly fine and rare.

The translation of the front of the note is as follows: - at top, 'Great Ming General Circulation treasure-Note', then 'Forty wen' with pictorial representtation of 40 cash below, in lower panel 'The Board of Revenue, having petitioned and received the Imperial sanction, prints the Great Ming Treasure-Note to be current and to be used as copper cash. Cast anew in the year of ...... The counterfeiter shall be decapitated. The informant and captor shall be rewarded with 250 taels in silver, and in addition shall be given the property of the criminal.' 'Hung Wu... '.