Numismatic

China Qing Dynasty AE Cash Kangxi Emperor (1662-1722 AD) Avg Circ

During the Qing Dynasty, under the long reign of the Kangxi Emperor, copper cash coins served as a fundamental medium of exchange. These distinctive pieces circulated widely, moving far beyond the borders of Imperial China to facilitate daily trade in ancient Japan and Korea. The design of this copper cash coin features a traditional square central hole, a classic functional element of East Asian numismatics. Surrounding this central aperture on the obverse are cast Chinese characters that identify the era of its creation. In contrast to the inscribed front, the reverse side of the coin is entirely plain, presenting a smooth, unadorned surface that highlights the casting methods of the period.