QING: Xian Feng, 1851-1861, AE 4 cash (14.91g), Ili Mint, Xinjiang Province, H-22.1085, cast 1855-1861, a wonderful quality example! VF to EF, ex Shèngbidébao Collection. In the year 1855 a new denomination of 4 cash (wén) was introduced at the Ili (Yining) Mint; further the Ürümqi Mint started issuing cash coins with high denominations in response. New mints were established at Kucha and Kashgar, while the Yarkand Mint was reopened. Coins also started being cast in bronze, brass, lead, and iron; this system received a chaotic response from Xinjiangs commercial markets.
