🏺 His Story Treasures Presents

⸻

同治重宝宝源局 当十

A Coin from the Twilight Recovery of the Qing Empire

Qing Dynasty • Tongzhi Emperor (1862–1874)

⸻

In the mid-19th century, the Qing Empire stood on the brink of collapse.

Rebellions ravaged the land.

The economy fractured.

The authority of the throne was shaken to its core.

And yet — from this chaos — came an attempt at restoration.

⸻

⚔️ The Era of “Tongzhi Restoration”

The reign of the Tongzhi Emperor (同治) marked a critical effort to rebuild the Qing state after the devastation of the Taiping Rebellion.

But behind the young emperor stood the true power:

👉 Empress Dowager Cixi (慈禧太后)

The era name “Tongzhi” (同治) — meaning “joint governance” — symbolized a unique political reality:

* A child emperor on the throne

* Real authority exercised by regents

* A fragile balance between survival and reform

⸻

💰 Currency Under Pressure

This coin — 同治重宝 (Tongzhi Zhongbao) — reflects that turbulent reality.

Unlike earlier stable periods, Qing coinage in this era was marked by:

* Inflationary pressure

* Fiscal strain from war recovery

* Urgent need for higher denomination currency

⸻

⚖️ “当十” — A Monetary Adjustment

Marked 当十 (value ten cash), this coin represents:

* A response to currency shortages

* An attempt to stabilize transactional efficiency

* A reflection of economic stress within the empire

These larger denomination coins were less common than standard small cash, and today form an important subset of Qing numismatics.

⸻

🏛 宝源局 — The Central Mint

Struck at 宝源局 (Board of Revenue Mint, Beijing):

* The most authoritative mint of the Qing Empire

* Responsible for central government coin production

* A symbol of imperial control over currency

Coins from 宝源局 are widely collected due to their historical legitimacy and consistency.

⸻

🔍 Condition & Certification

* Grade: 极美 88

* Certification: Bao Cui (保粹评级), QR-verifiable

* Diameter: 31.2 mm

* Weight: 10.2 g

Visual Highlights:

* Strong and readable calligraphy

* Attractive natural patina with contrasting tones

* Well-centered strike with solid structure

Certified by a specialized Chinese grading service focused on ancient coin authentication, with verification available via certificate number.

⸻

🧭 A Coin of Survival — Not Prosperity

Unlike coins of golden ages, this piece belongs to a different story:

👉 A state struggling to recover

👉 A dynasty attempting to stabilize

👉 A system adapting under pressure

It is precisely this context that makes Tongzhi coinage historically compelling and collectible.

⸻

🎯 Collector Positioning

✔ Qing Dynasty specialists

✔ Late imperial monetary history collectors

✔ Bao Yuan mint collectors

✔ Mid-tier collectible with strong historical narrative

⸻

🔑 Specifications

* Dynasty: Qing (清)

* Reign: Tongzhi (1862–1874)

* Type: 同治重宝

* Mint: 宝源局 (Board of Revenue)

* Denomination: 当十

* Diameter: 31.2 mm

* Weight: 10.2 g

* Grade: 极美 88

* Certification: Bao Cui (QR verifiable)