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Hongwu Tongbao coinage

Type Object Region China Time 1368

Hongwu Tongbao was the founding copper coin issued by Ming founder Zhu Yuanzhang in 1368, replacing late-Yuan private coinage and paper money.

Timeline

  1. 1368Nanjing · ChinaAfter Zhu Yuanzhang established his capital at Nanjing, the Baoyuan Mint began casting Hongwu Tongbao coins, fixing the four-character inscription and square-hole round shape to unify currency and end late-Yuan paper money depreciation and private minting chaos.
  2. 1370–1390Provincial mints of the Ming Empire · ChinaDuring the Hongwu reign, mints were successively set up in the provinces, producing denominations from ten-cash down to one-cash; the copper coins circulated alongside the Great Ming Treasure Note and became a key medium for paying taxes and military pay.
  3. 1391–1400Market towns of North China and Jiangnan · ChinaBy the Jianwen and Yongle eras, Hongwu Tongbao coins circulated widely in markets and border trade across the empire's core regions, used together with treasure notes to support early-Ming commodity exchange and fiscal revenue.

Sources