Chinese Cash Coin, 618 - 626, Gaozu, Tang Dynasty - Kai Yuan (S312)

China - 1 Cash Coin

Tang Dynasty

Li Yuan / Gaozu Emperor

Kai Yuan

Coins were not minted with dates, but this form was used between 618 to 626 AD

Emperor Gaozu of Tang (566 25 June 635), born Li Yuan, was the founding emperor of China's Tang Dynasty, reigning from 618 to 626.

In 615 Li Yuan was assigned to the garrison at Longxi. He gained extensive experience through dealing with and pacifying the Göktürks of the north. Li Yuan also garnered tremendous popular support from his victories. Following the disintegration of the Sui dynasty in July of 617, Li Yuan was urged on by his second son Li Shimin(whom would eventually become Emperor Taizong) and rebelled to claim the throne for himself. Using the title of "Great Chancellor", Li Yuan then installed the child emperor, Emperor Gong, as a puppet only to remove him in 618 to himself rule as the founding emperor of the Tang dynasty. His son and successor, Li Shimin, honoured him posthumistly as Gaozu ("high founder").

Emperor Gaozu's reign was concerned mainly with unifying the empire under Tang rule. His second son Li Shimin proved himself quite capable in this regard. By 628 they had succeeded in uniting all of China under the Tang banner. Domestically Emperor Gaozu implemented many reforms including the equal distribution of land amongst his people, lower taxes, reforming both the judiciary and the unjust legal system as established by Emperor Yang of Sui. These reforms paved the way for the reign of Emperor Taizong, during which the Tang dynasty reached it's zenith.

In 626 Li Shimin ambushed and killed his brothers Li Jiancheng(the crown prince) and Li Yuanji at the Xuanwu Gate. Fearful of what Li Shimin might do next, Emperor Gaozu abdocated the throne in favour of Li Shimin and became known as Taishang Huang(retired emperor). Li Yuan died in June of 635.