Reference
Note:
This coin (GCC 2.865) fits the general style and fabric of Hartill’s ‘Small Copper – Distinct Calligraphy, Group 1. (“An Phap” type)’. However it differs from the much more common variety of 天聖元寶 (GCC, 2.828), by the 元 which is in regular script rather than seal script. Hartill has reviewed the various hypotheses for the chronology of An Phap-type coins advanced by Thierry and others. He proposes (GCC, p. 143) that they were manufactured in North Vietnam under the Mac between 1540 and 1590. This provisional dating has been followed here.
Reference
Note:
Thierry’s illustrated example of a putative Vietnamese 天聖元寶 with a regular script 元 (CMVS, Page 44, Figure 83) is a much larger and heavier coin than this one with a different script for 寶 and the two feet of 元 differently curved. Thierry lists CMVS 83 as an undated and unattributed copy of the Tian Xi tong bao coin of Ren Zong of the Northern Song Dynasty (1023 – 1063). Thierry (CMV, CMVS) does not record this HCR 58834, 58835 variety.
