When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
His Story Treasures Presents
Xianfeng Zhongbao 当十 — Coin of the Taiping Rebellion Era (1851–1861)
🏛 Historical Context
This remarkable coin was issued during one of the most turbulent periods in Chinese history — the Taiping Rebellion (1850–1864).
During the reign of the Xianfeng Emperor, the Qing Empire was pushed to the brink of collapse as the massive Taiping uprising swept across southern China. The war devastated entire provinces, disrupted trade, and forced the imperial government to rapidly produce new coinage to sustain military campaigns and stabilize the economy.
Large denomination coins like this Xianfeng Zhongbao 当十 (10 Cash) were created during this chaotic period to address currency shortages and inflation caused by the prolonged conflict.
These coins circulated in marketplaces, military supply networks, and war-torn cities during the height of the rebellion — making them direct witnesses to one of the bloodiest civil wars in human history.
Holding this coin is holding a fragment of the Qing dynasty’s struggle for survival.
⸻
⚒ The Coin & Its Craftsmanship
The obverse features the classic inscription:
咸丰重宝 (Xianfeng Zhongbao)
meaning “Heavy Currency of the Xianfeng Era.”
The reverse bears the denomination 当十, indicating the coin was valued at ten standard cash coins.
Due to the emergency conditions of wartime minting, coins from this era often show distinctive casting characteristics and strong calligraphy, making each surviving example unique.
⸻
💎 Why Collectors Treasure It
• Coin from the Taiping Rebellion era
• Large denomination 当十 (10 Cash)
• Attractive large bronze format
• Certified Bao Cui 极美88
• Excellent historical storytelling value
Coins from the Xianfeng period are among the most historically significant issues of the Qing dynasty due to their direct connection to the empire’s greatest internal crisis.
⸻
📜 Specifications
Dynasty: Qing Dynasty
Emperor: Xianfeng (1851–1861)
Type: 咸丰重宝 (Xianfeng Zhongbao)
Denomination: 当十 (10 Cash)
Metal: Bronze
Diameter: ~35 mm
Weight: ~15.6 g
Grading Company: Bao Cui Coins Rating
Grade: 极美 88 (AU level)
Certification No.: B1R37A1003
⸻
📦 From His Story Treasures
Curated historical artifacts connecting collectors to the great civilizations of the past — from the Silk Road to Imperial China.
