Item number: A1719

Year: AD 958-960

Material: Bronze

Size: 21.9 x 21.9 x 0.9 mm

Weight: 2.35 g

Provenance: Da Chen Stamps and Coins Collection 2014

This is a bronze coin minted during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period in Chinese history. It was issued during the Xiande era (AD 958–960) by Li Jing, the second ruler of the Southern Tang, bearing the inscription “Da Tang Tongbao” (大唐通寶) in reference to the dynasty’s official name.

The coin follows the typical square-holed format. On the obverse, the inscription “Da Tang Tongbao” (大唐通寶) is engraved in clerical script (隸書) in the traditional order: top, bottom, right, and left. The reverse side is generally plain without any designs or inscriptions, though some variants feature a crescent-shaped mark.

The Southern Tang was established in AD 937 by Li Bian, who claimed to be a descendant of the Tang dynasty. Its territory encompassed the prosperous Jianghuai region, with its capital in Jinling (present-day Nanjing). Among the states of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, the Southern Tang was distinguished by its extensive coinage, reflecting its developed economy, society, and culture. However, following the death of Li Bian in AD 943, the Southern Tang faced increasing pressure from the rising Northern power, Later Zhou. The state’s strength gradually declined.

In AD 975, Li Bian’s grandson, Li Yu, who is renowned for his literary achievements as the “Emperor of the Ci,” surrendered to Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin, who had usurped the Later Zhou throne. This marked the end of the Southern Tang.

物件編號: A1719

年代: 公元 958-960 年

材質: 青銅

尺寸: 21.9 x 21.9 x 0.9 mm

重量: 2.35 g

來源: 大城郵幣社 2014

這是一枚鑄造於中國歷史上的五代十國時期，南唐第二位統治者李璟在顯德年間(公元958-960年)，以國號鑄造的「大唐通寶」青銅錢。

錢幣形制為典型的方孔錢，錢幣正面以隸書書法按照上、下、右、左順序，依序以漢字鐫刻「大唐通寶」四個字。錢幣背面為光背，沒有任何圖案或文字，偶爾在背面有月紋的版本。

南唐由自稱為唐朝後裔的李昪建立於公元937年，其疆域控制最為富饒的江淮地區並定都於金陵(今 南京)。南唐的鑄幣量為五代十國的佼佼者，擁有發達的社會經濟文化。然而自公元943年，李昪駕崩以後，南唐面臨北方的新興之秀後周的侵略，國勢日益衰弱。公元975年，李昪的孫子李煜，即以「千古詞帝」文學成就為後人所知的李後主，向篡奪後周政權的宋太祖趙匡胤投降，就此結束南唐的歷史。