Item number: A2174

Year: AD 918

Material: Bronze

Size: 22.9 x 22.8 x 1.2 mm

Weight: 3.2 g

Provenance: Da Chen Stamps and Coins Collection 2015

This is a bronze coin inscribed with “Guangtian Yuanbao,” minted during the turbulent period following the fall of the Tang Dynasty, known as the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms era. It was issued in AD 918 under the reign of Wang Jian, the founder of Former Shu, a regional regime that controlled Sichuan and its surrounding areas. This coin corresponds to the sixth reign title adopted by Wang Jian during his rule.

The coin follows the typical square-holed design characteristic of Chinese cash coins. Due to its considerable age, the surface has developed a thick layer of corrosion, though its details remain discernible. The obverse of the coin bears the inscription “Guangtian Yuanbao” (光天元寶) in Chinese characters, arranged in a clockwise sequence. The calligraphy emulates the style of the Tang Dynasty’s Kaiyuan Tongbao, with the character “Guang” (光) exhibiting subtle elements of semi-cursive script. The reverse side is plain, lacking any inscriptions or decorative elements.

The Former Shu was a short-lived state founded by Wang Jian during the chaotic final years of the Tang Dynasty. Rising from a background as a rogue and salt smuggler, Wang Jian took advantage of the Huang Chao Rebellion to gain military influence and gradually secured control over the Sichuan Basin, with Chengdu as his centre of power. In AD 907, dissatisfied with Zhu Wen’s manipulation of the Tang imperial family, he declared himself king. His reign was marked by peace and extensive hydraulic projects, allowing the local population to prosper. However, after his death, his successor Wang Yan proved to be an incompetent and hedonistic ruler. This weakness led to an invasion by Later Tang, and in AD 925, Former Shu was annexed, ending its 19-year rule.

物件編號: A2174

年代: 公元 918 年

材質: 青銅

尺寸: 22.9 x 22.8 x 1.2 mm

重量: 3.2 g

來源: 大城郵幣社 2015

這是唐朝滅亡的五代十國豪強割據之際，以四川為根據地的前蜀開創者王建，以公元918年使用的第六個年號鑄造之「光天元寶」青銅錢。

錢幣形制為典型的方孔錢，惜因年代久遠，錢幣表面已經覆蓋一層厚重的鏽斑，但尚能辨識出細節。錢幣正面按照順時針排序，以漢字鐫刻「光天元寶」四字，書法模仿唐朝開元通寶的風格，「光」字帶有些許行書的風格。錢幣背面為光背，沒有任何圖案或文字。

王建統治四川期間，先後使用過六個年號，其建國初期的天復(公元901至907年) 和武成 (公元908至910年) 年間並未鑄造錢幣，直到永平 (公元911年) 年間方才依照年號鑄造對應的錢幣。

前蜀為王建在唐朝末年的混亂之際，以四川作為根據地建立的政權。王建出身於無賴和鹽梟，趁著黃巢之亂投身於行伍之中，並且逐漸控制起以成都為中心的四川盆地。公元907年，王建不滿挾持唐皇室的朱溫擺布自立稱王，其在位期間不發動戰事和大興水利，使得四川一地的百姓得以安養生息。然而王建死後，繼位的王衍荒淫無道並且遭到後唐的入侵，最終前蜀於公元925年遭到後唐併吞，立國僅19年。