Item number: A2993

Year: AD 1788-1792

Material: Bronze

Size: 24.0 x 23.5 x 0.6 mm

Weight: 2.05 g

Provenance: Spink 2023

This is a bronze coin issued by Nguyễn Huệ, the founder of the Tây Sơn dynasty, after proclaiming himself emperor. It was cast using his reign title and bears the inscription “Quang Trung Đại Bảo” (光中大宝). Another coin minted under the same reign title features the inscription “Quang Trung Thông Bảo” (光中通寶).

The coin follows the traditional Chinese-style square-holed design. On the obverse, the inscription “Quang Trung Đại Bảo” (光中大宝) is engraved in a neat and slender regular script (kaishu), arranged in the order of top, bottom, right, and left. Notably, the character “Bảo” (宝) also exists in an alternative version using the more complex traditional form “寶.” The reverse side is plain, without any inscriptions or decorative elements.

In AD 1771, Nguyễn Huệ and his two brothers, driven by resentment toward the oppressive rule of the Nguyễn lords of Quảng Nam, rose in rebellion. Their uprising not only led to the destruction of the Nguyễn regime in the south but also enabled them to advance northward and overthrow the Trịnh lords, who held power over the Lê dynasty. This culminated in the reunification of Vietnam under a single rule. In AD 1788, former officials of the Lê dynasty appealed to the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Empire for military support to restore the dynasty and suppress Nguyễn Huệ. Prior to launching his counteroffensive, Nguyễn Huệ formally declared himself emperor and adopted the reign title Quang Trung (光中) to rally morale. Though he emerged victorious against the Qing forces, Nguyễn Huệ subsequently expressed his willingness to accept Qing suzerainty. This diplomatic gesture led to Qing recognition of his rule and marked the definitive end of the Lê dynasty.

During his reign, Nguyễn Huệ harboured strong ambitions of territorial expansion. To the north, he sought influence over Guangdong and Guangxi, supporting southern Chinese pirates as proxies. To the west, he launched military campaigns against the Kingdom of Vientiane and Siam. Following his death in AD 1792, the Tây Sơn dynasty plunged into internal strife and instability. This turmoil ultimately led to its downfall, as Nguyễn Phúc Ánh—a descendant of the former Nguyễn lords—conquered the Tây Sơn regime and founded the Nguyễn dynasty.

物件編號: A2993

年代: 公元 1788-1792 年

材質: 青銅

尺寸: 24.0 x 23.5 x 0.6 mm

重量: 2.05 g

來源: 斯賓克拍賣行 2023

這是一枚西山朝的開創者阮文惠稱帝之後，以其年號鑄造的「光中大宝」，材質為青銅。同「光中大宝」使用相同年號鑄造的錢幣還有「光中通寶」一種。

錢幣形制為仿效中國的方孔錢造型。錢幣正面按照上、下、右、左的順序，依序以工整纖細的漢字楷書書法鐫刻「光中大宝」，「宝」尚有另一種繁體字「寶」版型。錢幣背面為光背，沒有任何圖案或文字。

公元1771年，阮文惠和兩名兄弟不堪廣南阮氏政權的統治起兵造反，不僅消滅了廣南阮氏的政權，更趁勢北伐消滅控制後黎朝的鄭氏政權，一舉統一越南全境。公元1788年，後黎朝遺臣向清帝國乾隆皇帝請求救兵征討阮文惠。阮文惠在出陣前正式登基為皇帝和制定年號為「光中」以鼓勵士氣。阮文惠在對抗清帝國的戰爭中勝出，但也旋即向清廷表達接受冊封意願，得到清帝國認同正式標示後黎朝的滅亡。

阮文惠在位期間一直有大舉擴張領土的野心，不僅向北想要染指廣東和廣西而贊助華南海盜，向西則攻擊永珍王國和暹羅。 公元1792年，阮文惠駕崩之後，西山朝陷入嚴重的內訌，最終為廣南阮氏的後人阮福映消滅並且建立阮朝。