YUAN: Zhi Zheng, 1333-1368, AE temple coin (7.13g), H-19.91, mu qing tong bao (Copper Treasure of the Stately Purity) // zhi zheng (reign title meaning "Reach of Straightness"), Fine, RRR. Mu Qing is a hall in the White Stupa temple, Peking. "Temple coins" were made as sacrificial offerings to use in temples. These sacrificial coins were as official as those from official mints. In the Yuan Dynasty government minting of coins was not profitable, thus there were private minting activities. The temple s wealth enabled them to cast coins regardless of the high costs. Besides, it served them as a pretext to ask for more funds from the Royal court. The temples had their own foundries, first to make huge bells and copper statues. Sacrificial coins were also produced there, but the workmanship of mintage was inferior to that of professional government mints. As such, these "temple coins" are mostly crude, poorly made, and the characters are often in hasty, careless writing. No records have been found about the production, usage, and circulation of sacrificial or temple coins. Since the Tang Dynasty it has been a custom to offer coins before Buddha statues and altars. Sacrificial coins were strung and hung besides the niche, as to pray for freedom from illness. The offerings were taken away and divided among the monks.
