China, Qing Dynasty

 These copper "cash" coins date back to the Qing dynasty, the last imperial Chinese dynasty in history. They have inscriptions in both Chinese and Manchu script, which are outlined below.

Lasting almost three centuries, the Qing dynasty saw China grow to its greatest territorial extent after the annexation of Tibet, Xinjiang, and Mongolia. The Qing rulers weren't ethnically Chinese, however, but rather came from a group of people called the Manchu.

The coins in this listing were cast during the peak of the Qing dynasty, in the mid-1700's to the mid-1800's. During this period, China transformed into a thriving commercial empire and its population almost doubled. The decline of the Qing dynasty in the late 1800's culminated in its collapse in 1912 during the Xinhai Revolution, ending the two millennia long era of emperors ruling China.

Most coins in this group are from the following four emperors, and have the Chinese inscriptions shown below:

Yongzheng Emperor: 雍正通寶 - 1722 to 1735

Qianlong Emperor: 乾隆通寶 - 1735 to 1796

Jiaqing Emperor: 嘉慶通寶 - 1796 to 1820

Daoguang Emperor: 道光通寶 - 1820 to 1850

Each includes a Certificate of Authenticity.