Lot 4461

Description

China, Hsin Dynasty, Wang Mang Interregnum, huo-pu 'The pu currency', spade money, height 60mm, width 24mm, (45 B.C. - 23 A.D.), (Hartill 9.30) (3); assorted similar smaller issues known as the 10 spades issued from 10-14 A.D., these have values 100, 200 (2), 300, 400 (2) (one illustrated), 500, 600, 700 (2), 800, 900, 1000 (3, one illustrated) on them, they include (Hartill 9.20 (very small), 9.21, 9.22, 9.23, 9.24, 9.25, 9.26, 9.27, 9.28 9.29, TFP 466-483). All with green and dirt encrustation, all issues rare, mostly fine - very fine. (18)

Ex Patrick J. O'Rourke Collection.

Wang Mang was a nephew of the Dowager Empress Wang, and during his time as her regent he usurped the throne, and founded the Xin Dynasty. He introduced a number of currency reforms which met with varying degrees of success. During the third reform, in AD 10, Wang Mang issued the "Ten Spades" series and according to the History of Han: "The people became bewildered and confused, and these coins did not circulate. They secretly used Wu Zhu coins for their purchases (see Hartill for further details).