Chemical Studies of Ming and Qing (1368–1911 CE) coinage and the later history of brass in China. (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pollard, A.M.; Liu, Ruiliang
• Is Part Of: Journal of archaeological science. Volume 142(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: Chinese coinage -- Ming and qing -- Brass technology; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archéologie -- Périodiques; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2022.105597
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-4403

Abstract

Abstract: This paper assembles the chemical analyses of 863 copper coins from the Ming (1368–1644 CE) and Qing (1644–1911 CE) Dynasties. The coverage is incomplete, with some reign periods missing – largely because copper coinage was not produced during certain reigns. The overwhelming chemical feature of this period is the well-known introduction of zinc into the coinage alloy, beginning after 1503 in the late Ming Dynasty and fully established by the Jiajing period (beginning 1521). Based on literary sources, some scholars have put the date of the formal adoption of brass at 1553, but we argue that the chemical evidence from the coinage would support an earlier date. Similarly, we re-examine the evidence for a two-stage introduction of brass during the Ming dynasty, potentially related to an initial use of a calamine-type process, followed by the use of a direct process involving metallic zinc. Again, based on literary sources, some scholars have argued that the change to the direct process occurred in 1621, with all previous brass being made by the calamine process. The chemical data shows a shift to higher levels of zinc (>30%) during the Wanli dynasty (1572–1620), but whether this signifies the use of brass made with metallic zinc, or a modification of the calamine process, is still an open question. By comparison with dated objects during the Ming, and textual evidence from Song Yingxing in 1637, we lean towards the former. Highlights: Evaluate the competing hypotheses for the date of introduction of brass into the coinage. Re-examine the transition period from calamine process/cementation to direct/spelter process under the reign of Wanli. Provide a collated dataset for the published chemical analyses of Chinese Ming and Qing coinage.