cash 23-25 AD Superb Wu Zhu Gengshi , revival of Western Han dynasty, China

Two Chinese characters Wu Zhu / Inner and outer rims. 25mm, 3.27 grams. Hartill -; Gratzer/Fishman #B3.1. 

These Wu Zhus were cast during the brief reign of the unfortunate Emperor Gengshi, a member of the Western Han dynasty to briefly ruled the Empire after the fall of Wang Mang in 23 CE.  The Gengshi Emperor was viewed as a weak and incompetent ruler who was unable to keep that empire together. After a reign of two years he was deposed by the Chimei ("Red Eyebrows") rebels and strangled a few months after his defeat.

They are fairly scarce in general (rated “Rare” in Fishman/Gratzer), and very rare in extremely high quality like this piece. The two pieces offered here come from the same hoard from maybe 10 years ago, but show different patinas.

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