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Qing Dynasty
Shunzhi Tongbao Type 2
(Rightward Tong)
清
順治通寶二式
(背右同)
Item number: A2761
Year: AD 1644-1648
Material: Brass
Size: 25.0 x 25.1 x 0.9 mm
Weight: 3.05 g
Manufactured by: Shanxi Province Datong Mint Bureau
Provenance: Da Chen Stamps and Coins Collection 2019
This coin, known as “Shunzhi Tongbao,” was cast under the reign of the Shunzhi Emperor between the first and fifth years of the Shunzhi reign (AD 1644–1648) by the Datong Mint in Shanxi Province.
The coin follows the traditional form of the Han cultural sphere—round with a square hole—and is made of brass. The obverse bears the Chinese inscription “Shunzhi Tongbao” in regular script, read top to bottom, right to left. The “Tong” character in “Tongbao” often features the single-dot variant of the radical “辶”, known as “single-dot tong”, while the “Bao” character uses the variant with the “尔” component rather than the modern “缶” form, commonly referred to as “Er Bao”. The calligraphy on this coin is smaller than that of earlier issues, indicating a more refined minting process, and is classified as “standard script”. On the reverse, the character “Tong” (同), denoting the mint, is engraved to the right of the square hole. The character is notably smaller, hence referred to as “small tong”.
To guard against Mongol incursions, the Ming dynasty had established nine border military garrisons in the north, among which Datong was of particular strategic importance due to its role in the defence of the capital. Jiang Xuang, a native of Yulin in Shaanxi and a hereditary border officer, successively held the positions of vice general and general, formally assuming command of the Datong garrison in AD 1642 (Chongzhen 15). In AD 1644 (Chongzhen 17), when Li Zicheng’s forces invaded Shanxi, Jiang initially pledged with the regional governor Wei Jingyuan to defend Datong to the death but ultimately surrendered—possibly due to lack of military provisions—resulting in Wei’s death. In March, Li Zicheng took Beijing, prompting Emperor Chongzhen’s suicide and the fall of the Ming dynasty. In April, Wu Sangui, commander at Shanhai Pass, in response to personal grievances and opposition to Li Zicheng, led Qing forces through the pass, enabling the Qing to swiftly seize control of the Central Plain. By May, as Li Zicheng withdrew from Datong, Jiang Xuang declared allegiance to the Qing under the pretext of suppressing rebel forces, and was granted the titles of Datong General and Front General for the Western Campaign (to attack Li Zicheng).
Although Jiang professed loyalty to the Qing, his wide-ranging influence among former Ming border troops and Mongol forces raised suspicions at court. Amid structural reforms and ethnic tensions, central authorities increasingly monitored him. Meanwhile, his resentment deepened due to insufficient military stipends, harsh living conditions among the troops, and unfulfilled political expectations.
In early AD 1648 (Shunzhi 5), Muslim generals Mi Layin and Ding Guodong from Ganzhou (present-day Gansu) rebelled against the Qing. Later that year, the Qing dispatched Prince Ying, Ajige, to station troops in Datong and requisition grain supplies, reportedly committing abuses and threatening mass executions. These actions fuelled unrest among local troops and civilians and intensified Jiang’s fears for his safety. Taking advantage of the absence of regional officials such as Governor Geng Tun, who were away inspecting grain supplies, Jiang launched a rebellion, declared allegiance to the Southern Ming, adopted the Yongli reign title, and rapidly seized eleven cities across northern Shanxi. His uprising received swift support from regions including Pianguan, Lu’an, and Zezhou, where soldiers and local gentry joined in revolt. Despite previously sending his son to the Qing court as a hostage, the rebellion caught the Qing unprepared, provoking the wrath of the court. Regent Dorgon led a campaign against Datong in person.
In July AD 1649 (Shunzhi 6), after prolonged siege and famine, Datong fell. Jiang Xuang was betrayed and executed by his subordinate, and Qing troops entered the city, carrying out a massacre. The anti-Qing resistance in Shanxi collapsed. Subsequently, the Qing authorities launched a comprehensive purge of Southern Ming affiliates, implicating numerous individuals over the course of a decade, thereby dismantling the remaining Ming military institutions and social networks. This campaign marked the beginning of Qing consolidation and the reconstruction of social order in Shanxi.
To cover military expenditures on the North China front, the Qing established the Datong Mint in October AD 1644 (Shunzhi 1), producing “Shunzhi Tongbao” coins with the mint mark “Tong” on the reverse. The early issues were often made by reworking existing “Chongzhen Tongbao” moulds from the Ming, resulting in disproportionate and oversized characters in the new design, which were later refined. During Jiang Xuang’s rebellion, the mint switched to casting “Daming Tongbao” coins as a declaration of resistance to Qing rule. The original Shunzhi coin moulds were destroyed by fire. After the city fell to Qing forces and was nearly razed, the mint ceased operation. It was subsequently relocated to Yanghe, where coins bearing the “Yang” character were produced. In recent years, numerous uncirculated or lightly circulated “Shunzhi Tongbao” coins with the “Tong” reverse mark have been excavated in Datong, suggesting that residents had buried currency in an attempt to preserve it amid the uprising, only for it to remain hidden following the Qing massacre.
The Shunzhi Emperor, born Aisin Gioro Fulin, was the first emperor of the Qing dynasty to rule over China proper, reigning from AD 1644 to 1661. During his minority, Prince Regent Dorgon governed on his behalf, leading the Qing army into the Central Plain, establishing the capital in Beijing, and completing the regime’s transition from the northeast to all of China. After Dorgon’s death, Shunzhi assumed direct rule, promoted policies of Sinicisation, appointed Han officials, and reinstated the imperial examination system to stabilise society and consolidate Qing rule. He also enforced the policy of shaving the forehead and adopting Manchu dress, which provoked resistance among the Han population, but was ultimately imposed by force. Throughout his reign, the Shunzhi Emperor focused on quelling remaining Southern Ming loyalists and local separatist forces. Despite continuous warfare, he gradually realised effective centralised rule across the empire. Culturally, he promoted Confucian learning, revered Buddhism—particularly Chan (Zen)—and was rumoured in later years to have intended to become a monk. He died young at the age of 22 and was succeeded by his son, Xuanye, who became the Kangxi Emperor.