Da Ming Tong Bao

The Da Ming Tong Bao stands out for being cast in such vast numbers—likely tens of millions—that it became the backbone of Ming Dynasty commerce, flooding markets from Beijing to the provinces.

This early Ming cash coin, issued under Emperor Hongwu, bore the inscription "Da Ming Tong Bao" in a straightforward regular script, signaling a return to Chinese imperial norms after Mongol rule. Struck on copper-alloy planchets using sand molds, these coins varied slightly by mint, with some showing subtle differences in edge quality or metal purity.

Exact mintage figures are murky; official records probably burned in later conflicts, leaving us to guess based on archaeological finds. One dry note: if you think every rusty coin in a dealer's tray is from this era, you're not alone—plenty of fakes have tried to cash in on its ubiquity.