YUAN: Da Yuan, 1308-1311, AE temple cash (1.54g), Haberer-19.48, da yuan zhi bao, VF, ex Dr. Dirk Löer Collection, SARC Auction 29, Lot 519. "Gong Yang Qian" variously translated as "temple coins" or "offering coins", were a type of alternative currency that resembled Chinese cash coins that circulated during the Mongol Yuan dynasty period. The Yuan dynasty emperors (or khagans) were supports of Buddhism, which meant that the Buddhist temples tended to receive official government support. During this period the larger Buddhist temples in China were able to cast bronze Buddha statues and make other religious artifacts which also meant that it was easy for them to also cast these special kind of cash coins which could then be used by faithful adherents of Buddhism as offerings to Buddha. In general, these temple coins tend to be much smaller and crudely made compared to earlier and later Chinese cash coins. However, because these temple coins, due to their copper content, still had intrinsic value, they would sometimes serve as an alternative currency in China.This example is perhaps a later casting from the Min Guo era, circa 1920-30s.
