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Hongwu Tongbao

Type Object Region China Time 1368–1398

Hongwu Tongbao was the standard copper coin struck by Ming founder Zhu Yuanzhang, replacing Yuan paper money and old coins as the basis of Ming curre…

Timeline

  1. 1368–1369Baoyuan Bureau, Nanjing · JiangnanAfter establishing his capital at Nanjing, the Ming founder began striking Hongwu Tongbao at the Baoyuan Bureau; the legend was in regular script, one wen per coin, replacing the chaotic late-Yuan currency and establishing the basic form and minting system of Ming copper coinage.
  2. c. 1371–1378Mints in Fujian, Zhejiang, Huguang, and other provinces · ChinaDuring the Hongwu reign, the court set up mints in Fujian, Zhejiang, Huguang, and elsewhere to strike Hongwu Tongbao; the reverse sometimes bore marks of place or denomination, expanding minting capacity to meet nationwide circulation needs.
  3. 1375–1380Nationwide · ChinaAfter the Great Ming Treasure Note was issued in the eighth year of Hongwu, Hongwu Tongbao circulated alongside paper money, forming the Ming pattern of using both coin and note; copper coin played an important role in small transactions and tax conversion.

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