MING: Da Zhong, 1361-1368, AE 2 cash (5.65g), H-20.13, VF-XF. The first cash coins issued by Zhu Yuanzhang actually bore the inscription "Dazhong Tongbao" because he wanted to name his name country the "Great Zhong" dynasty but eventually the name was settled on the "Great Ming" dynasty. The Hongwu period was proclaimed in 1368 and the introduction of the Hongwu Tongbao coins began then. Despite the new coinage being issued the "Dazhong Tongbao" coins would continue to be cast as reconquering China from the Mongols took several more years.
