View Part 1 of the Reference Catalogue at:
| REFERENCE CATALOGUE OF XINJIANG RED CASH |
Part 1 - Coins Cast Before Yakub Beg and the 1864 Uprisings
| INTRODUCTION Scope and Typology Following is a catalogue of the main types of Qing cash of Xinjiang through the "Worth Ten" denomination . This encompasses coins with no stated denomination and those of the "Worth Four," "Worth Five," "Worth Eight," and "Worth Ten" types. The catalogue includes every known type as distinguished by a difference in the words of the inscription, a difference in issuing authority, and/or a significant difference in size. Under this system, types are not defined by differences consisting solely of errors or strangely formed letters/characters. Nor are the numerous varieties distinguished by dots, crescents, etc. in the fields listed as separate types. Coins cast in different metals are also considered as a single type, though the metal varieties are noted. On the other hand, coins with the same inscriptions issued under different emperors or by different mints are considered separate types. Currently none of the "Worth 50" and above coins are listed (mostly because I cannot afford to collect the higher denomination coins). Each major type is presented with a table that gives the information that applies to all varieties within the type: its identification number as listed in three standard Chinese works, rarity ratings, legends (inscriptions), and dates. Following the information concerning the type is a photograph of a specimen and its description. Before the main catalogue, a sampling of pre-Qing coins is also presented. Condition The red cash coins of Xinjiang are rarely found in good condition. This is due in part to the circumstances under which they were cast. The products of the southern mints were often especially crude, and it seems as though some coins were illegible the day they left the mint. Small pin-sized holes in the coins, known in Chinese as "feng" or larger holes called "dong," are extremely common and in many cases they are probably a result of the casting process. Many bent coins are also encountered. In general it is far more difficult to find an attractive red cash specimen than a high-grade coin from the interior of China. The examples in the reference catalogue have been chosen for their legibility and aesthetic appeal, and thus are not representative of the series in regard to preservation. For each attractive coin in existence there are dozens more ugly or barely legible pieces. Language and Transliteration For the Chinese legends the Pin Yin transliteration system is used. The Turki legends (sometimes referred to as Uyghur, Chagatai, or Arabic legends) are for the most part place names, and I have given the conventional English transliteration (mainly because I am not sure how to produce the Latin-based "Yengi" script transliteration on the computer). Thus, "Kashqar" is given as Kashgar. For the Manchu in the first part of the catalogue I have used the standard Chinese transliteration because I cannot read Manchu and I only have access to Chinese language materials at the moment. Thus "Boo Ciowan" becomes "Bao Quan." D. de Boer has kindly provided more accurate Manchu readings for Part 3 of the catalogue. If anyone would like to provide Manchu readings for the first part of the catalogue I would be grateful. Rarity Ratings While standard Qing coins are often considered quite common, the red cash of Xinjiang include an unusually high number of quite rare types. Authors who have written about the series have developed several rarity rating systems, and these are included in the catalogue. The rarity ratings of Dai Zhi Qiang refer to very specific sub-varieties, which in some fields of numismatics might be called "die varieties." In the catalogue below the rarity rating of the most common sub-variety within a major type is given. Thus, the Dai rating might more accurately be called the "minimum Dai rarity rating." The rating system ranges from "1" to "10" with "1" as the rarest. Beyond the level of "1" Dai also includes some adjective ratings such as "unique" and "extraordinarily rare." The latter seems to apply to those varieties with less than ten known specimens. The Zhus' rating system is similar except that it refers to broader types, does not have any level higher than "1," and within each level there is an upper (rarer) and lower rating, expressed here as "+" and "-." Dong and Jiang's system is also based on major types, and ranges from zero stars for common types, to four stars for extremely rare types. Bibliographical information concerning the works cited is available at the end of the catalogue. Organization The types are presented in chronological order as far as possible. This breaks with the method employed by most of the Chinese works consulted. The Chinese works usually group coins by emperor (reign title) as inscribed on the coin and mint. This results in an anachronistic arrangement because many of the red cash types were cast in an emperor's name long after his death. Thus, in most catalogues a posthumous Qianlong coin of the early twentieth century occurs alongside Qianlong's 18th century coins. While this is convenient for attribution, it makes for difficulty understanding the chronology of the coinage. Therefore, this system has been abandoned here in favor of a chronological sequence. For a few types dating is uncertain, and these are listed near the coins produced under the reign inscribed on the coin. This principle of organization is not perfect, but it helps the reader get an impression of the relation between the coins and the events of their times. The main catalogue is preceded by a sampling of pre-Qing coins including at least one example from each of the dynasties that issued coins in what would eventually become Xinjiang, from the coming of Islam to the Qing conquest. The Qing period coins are divided into three parts: those issued before, during, and after the rebellions of 1864-1878. |
| If you find any errors or have any suggestions, please |
| at contact@xinjiangcoins.com |