Chinese Cash Coin, 118 BC - 220 AD, Han Dynasty - Wu Shu (S257)

China - Wu Shu Coin

Han Dynasty

Five Shu

Coins were not minted with dates, but this form was used between 118 BC to 220 AD.

According to the records of the court of Emperor Wu(Han Wu-ti) in the fifth year of Yuan-shou (118 BC) the light weight Pan-liang coins were replaced in favour of the Wu Shu(5 shu) coins. Unlike the crude Pan Liang, Wu Shu were better cast with finished edges, well developed rims on both sides and a inner rim on the reverse also using finer calligraphy of a more modern style. They were produced according to the weight standard of the Ban Liang(a return to standard of the 179 to 136 BC period).

The Han Dynasty(206 BC 220 AD) was an imperial dynasty of China. It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty from 923 AD. This interregnum separates the Han into two periods: the Western Han (206 BC 9 AD) and Eastern Han (25220 AD). Spanning over four centuries, the period of the Han Dynasty is considered a golden age in Chinese history.