Reference
Note:
Hartill included a Tường Thánh Thông Bảo coin (GCC, Page 147, Figure 2.877) among his category: ‘Small Copper – Distinct Calligraphy, Group 2. (“Protruding Bao Type”). HCR 58916 is clearly a member of this group based on the protruding stroke on the left side of the 貝(bei) radical of 寶. Hartill noted that this belongs to Miura Gosen’s Tường Thánh / Xiang Sheng 祥聖手 group. There are just four different coin inscription in this group, all of which include the character 聖. Note that this coin is not the same type as that shown in Thierry’s Tường Thánh Thông Bảo (CMVS, p. 48, Figure 119) which lacks the protruding stroke of 寶. Examples matching HCR 58916 have been added to the Zeno Oriental Coins Database by Craig Greenbaum (#167945) and Bruce Griffith (#161060). Another member of the Tường Thánh / Xiang Sheng 祥聖手 group (a Trị Bình Thánh Bảo 治 平 聖 寶) which has the protruding stroke of the貝(bei) radical of, 寶was illustrated in the book Wakan Kokon Hosen Zukan (和 漢 古 今 宝 銭 図 鑑) published in 1694. See Craig Greenbaum’s (2002) posting at Zeno # 90079. However note that the coin shown next to the book drawing is not of this type as it lacks the protruding stroke of the 貝(bei) radical of 寶. The correct matching coin type was later illustrated by Hartill (GCC, p. 147, Fig. 2.876). In terms of dating a provisional estimate of c. 1540 – c 1694 seems appropriate for the whole series.
