A selection of five ancient Chinese (Han Dynasty) cash coins with some encrustations and patination to the surface. They are in typical Chinese coinage pattern, a circular surface featuring a square hole at the centre. The largest coin at the top is a Han Dynasty Wu Zhu (五铢) coin. Wu Zhu coins were consistently produced from AD 118 in the Han Dynasty to early Tang Dynasty (AD 618 to 907). The curved top right stroke of Zhu (铢) represents the coinage cast style after Western Han Dynasty. The other four coins were produced in the fourth currency reform (AD 14) of the Xin Dynasty (AD 9 - 23). Two Chinese characters read Huo Quan (货泉). Xin Dynasty (AD 9 - 23) was a short-lived dynasty between Western Han (206 BC – AD 9) and Eastern Han (AD 25–220) Dynasties, established and ruled by Wang Mang (王莽) (c. 45 BC – 23 AD). Some historians traditionally view Wang as a usurper, while others portray him as a visionary and selfless social reformer. Though he sought to implement the harmonious society in the classics, his efforts ignored social complexities and ended in chaos. One of his most criticised policies is the four currency reforms, causing disastrous economic outcomes. Diameter of Wu Zhu coin: 2.5cm Diameter of Huo Quan coins: 1.8-2.3cm Provenance: Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.