Northern Dynasties Ancient Chinese coinage

1 northern dynasties

1.1 northern wei (386–534)
1.2 northern qi (550–77)
1.3 northern zhou (557–81)

northern dynasties
northern wei (386–534)

tai wu zhu (chinese: 太和五銖; pinyin: tài hé wǔ zhū; literally: taihe [period] wu zhu ): although northern wei had been established in 386, turkish , mongolian tribes had retained nomadic way of life no need money until 495, when emperor xiao wen issued coin, @ capital datong in shanxi.
yong wu zhu (chinese: 永安五銖; pinyin: yǒng ān wǔ zhū; literally: yong [period] wu zhu ) coins first issued in autumn of second year of yongan (529) emperor xiao zhuang. said continued cast until 543 under eastern , western wei dynasties. during eastern wei dynasty, private coins nicknames such yongzhou green-red, liangzhou thick, constrained cash, auspicious cash, heyang rough, heavenly pillar, , red halter circulated, possibly yong wu zhus.

northern qi (550–77)

chang ping wu zhu (chinese: 常平五銖; pinyin: chángpíng wǔ zhū; literally: constant , regular wu zhu ) cast emperor wen xuan in 553. finely made. northern qi capital linzhang in hebei. under northern qi, there eastern , western coinage region, under chamberlain palace revenues. each regional director supervised 3 or 4 local services.

northern zhou (557–81)

bu quan (chinese: 布泉; pinyin: bù quán; literally: spade coin ) issued in 561 emperor wu of northern zhou dynasty. 1 worth 5 wu zhus. distinguish coin bu quan of wang mang—the stroke in middle of quan continuous. withdrawn in 576.
wu xing da bu (chinese: 五行大布; pinyin: wǔháng dà bù; literally: large coin of 5 elements [metal, wood, water, fire, , earth] ) issued in 574 emperor wu. intended worth ten bu quans. illegal coining produced specimens of reduced weight , authorities banned use of coin in 576. inscription found on amulets.
yong tong wan guo (chinese: 永通萬國; pinyin: yǒng tōng wànguó; literally: everlasting circulation in ten thousand kingdoms ) issued in 579 emperor xuan. there nominal weight 12 zhu, , coin meant equivalent ten wu xing coins.


the above coins, northern zhou 3 coins written in yu zhu (jade chopstick) style of calligraphy admired.


3 , 4 zhu coins small group of square , round coins not have hole in middle. attributed time of southern , northern dynasties. unsettled period produced poor coinage. obverse inscriptions give weight of 3 or 4 zhu. reverse inscriptions appear place names.