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. Wear, patination and earthy encrustations to the surface. The three smaller coins at the top were produced in the fourth currency reform (AD 14) of the Xin Dynasty (AD 9 - 23). Two Chinese characters read Huo Quan (货泉). The two larger coins at the bottom are Han Dynasty Wu Zhu (五铢) coinage. 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. Huo Quan coins were produced in the fourth currency reform (AD 14) of the Xin Dynasty (AD 9-23). Xin Dynasty 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) (circa 45 BC – AD 23). Some historians traditionally view Wang as a usurper, while others portray him as a visionary and selfless social reformer. Though he sought to create a harmonious society, his efforts ignored existing social complexities and ended in chaos. Some of his most criticised policies are the four currency reforms, which are credited for causing disastrous economic outcomes. Diameter: 1.7-2.5cm Weight (of the group): 13.00g Provenance: Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.