GP-1

The first original treasure : De yi yuan bao.
Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907).
The Rebellion of An Lu shan and Shi Si ming (AD 755-763).
Casting era : AD 759.
Emperor : Su zong, Li Heng.

In the year AD 759, the rebel general : Shi Si ming occupied Wei zhou (present Da ming of He bei province). He gave his own name as Da Sheng Yan Wang (= the great holy king of Yan kingdom) and named his reign year Ying Tiang (= Meeting Providence). Shi Si ming cast this type of coin in this year. This coin deserved one hundred pieces of Kai yuan tong bao (a usual coin in this period).

O : Chinese character inscription : De yi yuan bao.
From observer's point of view, up : De (= get), right : yi (= one), down : yuan (= original), left : bao (= treasure). "De yi (getting one)" means "the first or pure". Therefor this inscription means "the first original treasure (by Shi Si ming)". Hemming line.
R : Cresent above the square hole.
19.0g.
D-35.5mm.
Early big type.
Sold.



Shuichi Yamashita
1696, Aoyagi
Ichihara-shi, Chiba
299-0102, JAPAN
E-mail : ge6128@i.bekkoame.ne.jp