TANG: Qing Feng, 759-762, AE 50 cash (12.64g), H-14.108 var, small dot below central hole on reverse, Fine, ex Abraham Heidal, ex Dr. Allan Pacela Collection. Qián yuán zhòng bao coins were issued by Emperor Su Zong to pay the army fighting against the rebels. Coins of the first issue, in 758, were the equivalent of 10 ordinary cash. Each coin weighed 1.6 qian. The second issue, from 759, was of larger coins, one of which was to be the equivalent of 50 cash. These coins have a double rim on the reverse and are known as the Zhong Lun (Heavy Wheel) cash. Their weight was twice that of the 10 cash coins. After scenes that foreshadowed the Xianfeng period (1853), with hundreds of people executed for forgery, the large Qian Yuan coins were devalued to 30 cash. In 762, the smaller coins were devalued to 2 cash, and the Heavy Wheel cash to 3 cash.
