Item number: A3504

Year: AD 1074-1084

Material: Bronze

Size: 22.3 x 22.2 mm

Weight: 3.9 g

Provenance: Stephen Album Rare Coins 2025

This is a coin issued by Emperor Huizong of Western Xia, Li Bingchang, during the Da’an era (AD 1075–1086).

The obverse bearing the inscription

(tha nej ljɨ̣ dzjɨj) in Tangut script, which translates to “Da’an Bao Qian” or “Precious Coin of the Da’an Era”. The inscription is read in a clockwise sequence beginning from the top. The reverse is blank.

The Western Xia dynasty was founded by the Tangut-Tuoba ruler Li Yuanhao in the third year of the Daqing reign (equivalent to AD 1038, the fifth year of Jingyou under the Northern Song Emperor Renzong), with the capital established at Xingling, present-day Ningxia. The dynasty created its own script and administrative system, and coexisted in a tripartite balance of power with the Song, Liao, and Jin dynasties. It ultimately fell to the Mongols during the reign of its last ruler, Li Xian, who was executed after surrendering in the second year of Baoyi (AD 1227). In total, Western Xia was ruled by ten emperors over a span of 190 years.

Emperor Huizong, personal name Li Bingchang, reigned from AD 1068 to 1086. He ascended the throne at the age of seven following the early death of his father, Emperor Yizong (Li Liangzuo), with Empress Dowager Liang acting as regent. In accordance with the Celebrated Calendar Treaty, the Song court formally invested Li Bingchang as the ruler of the Western Xia. Initially, relations between the two states remained cordial. However, when Li Bingchang expressed his intention to cede parts of Henan to the Song, the Empress Dowager discovered the plot, executed his confidants, and seized full control of the government.

The Song dynasty then used his captivity as justification for launching a large-scale military campaign against Western Xia. Generals such as Zhong E, Wang Zhongzheng, and Li Xian led hundreds of thousands of troops in multiple offensives targeting Lingzhou, Xiazhou, and other regions. Although early battles saw successes such as the capture of Mizhi and victories against Western Xia forces, the Song troops eventually suffered heavy losses due to disrupted supply lines, severe snowstorms, and inadequate provisions. The disastrous Battle of Yongle led to a total rout, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands and the loss of massive quantities of resources. Employing scorched-earth tactics and raiding enemy supply routes, the Western Xia secured a decisive victory. Both sides were exhausted by the prolonged conflict, prompting Western Xia to send envoys to restore diplomatic ties.

In the first year of Yuanyou (AD 1086), Li Bingchang died. He was posthumously honoured with the temple name Huizong. His three-year-old son Li Qianshun ascended the throne. Western Xia sent envoys to the Song court to deliver condolences and tribute. Within the Song government, there was debate over whether to return the six forts captured during the Xining campaigns. Statesman Sima Guang advocated for the restitution of the territories to ensure border stability. His proposal was ultimately accepted, leading to a gradual easing of hostilities between the two states.

物件編號: A3504

年代: 公元 1074-1084 年

材質: 青銅

尺寸: 22.3 x 22.2 mm

重量: 3.9 g

來源: 史蒂芬稀有硬幣專輯 2025

這是一枚由西夏惠宗李秉常，於大安年間所鑄之「大安寶錢」。

錢幣正面錢文為西夏文

(tha nej ljɨ̣ dzjɨj)，即「大安寶錢」，自上而右旋讀。錢背無文。

西夏為党項拓跋氏李元昊於西夏景宗大慶三年(北宋仁宗景祐五年)，即公元1038年，建國稱帝，首府興靈位於今寧夏。並制備西夏文與典章制度。先後與兩宋、遼、金成鼎足之勢。傳至末主李睍，不敵蒙古後，於寶義二年(公元1227年)投降見殺。歷十帝，享國一百九十年。

夏惠宗，名李秉常，公元1068-1086年在位。其父毅宗諒祚早逝，長子秉常即位時年僅七歲，由其母梁太后攝政。宋廷按慶曆合約後慣例，冊封秉常為夏國主，雙方初有互動與通好，但不久後秉常有意將河南地歸宋，被梁太后察覺，遂誅殺其親信並奪政。宋朝遂以秉常被囚為由大舉伐夏，由種諤、王中正、李憲等將領率數十萬大軍，分數路進攻靈州、夏州等地，雖初期攻克米脂、擊敗夏軍，但隨後因補給線斷絕、大雪、饑寒交迫，宋軍死傷慘重，屢戰皆敗，永樂之役更全軍覆沒，損失數十萬人與大量物資。夏人採堅壁清野、斷糧襲補之策，大獲全勝。戰後雙方俱疲，西夏遣使通好。宋元祐元年(公元1086年)，秉常病逝，廟號惠宗，其子乾順繼位，時年三歲，西夏遣使向宋告哀並進貢。宋廷內部對是否歸還熙寧年間所奪六堡有所爭議，司馬光等主張順勢歸還，以安邊境，最終獲得採納，兩國關係漸趨緩和。