Ming Standard Coins (Copper Cash)

Timeline

1. c. 1430–1540The two capitals and the provinces · ChinaAfter the early Ming paper notes depreciated, standard coins again became the common medium for market change and small taxes; the Baoyuan and Baoquan mints cast 'tongbao' coins by era name, but copper shortages led to weight reduction and rampant private minting, damaging official coin credibility.
2. c. 1541–1550Fujian—Guangdong—Jiangnan · Southeast coastIn the 1540s the court repeatedly banned private minting, adjusted mint quotas, and cast Jiajing tongbao and other era-name coins; large silver inflows along the southeast coast meant standard coins were mainly used for small retail and wage payments, forming a layered monetary structure alongside silver taels.