World Silver and Bronze Coins (A-M)

Lot 3282    Session 11 (9.30 Thu 27th March)    World Silver and Bronze Coins (A-M)

Estimate $100
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $800

CHINA, Sung Dynasty (960-1280), uncertain emperor round pictorial horse and rider charm with square hole, 40mm, (25.23 g), obv. two large rectangular characters, 'Three Zhang [of Tang]', rev. horseman to left, (Zhong guo hua qian No.-, Thierry -). Extremely fine and very rare.

Ex E.Wodak Collection.

This is a reference to the famous Zhang Tang a native of Du who lived towards the end of the Han Dynasty. He supervised the construction of Emperor Wu's mausoleum. He ascended through the ranks to palace counsellor. Working with Zhao Yu, Zhang Tang increased the severity of the laws to prevent officials abusing their power. When dealing with those from prominent families, he had a habit of twisting the law to ensure that they were proven guilty, but often asked the Emperor for leniency in the cases of those from humble backgrounds, with the result that many in the latter category were spared. Around 121 BC, a combination of foreign military operations and domestic disaster from flood and drought left the government treasury empty. Under the direction of the Emperor, Zhang Tang arranged for the minting of new currency and the nationalisation of the salt and iron industries, which had hitherto been in the hands of wealthy merchants. At the height of his career, he garnered such respect that his discourses on fiscal policy would receive the Emperor's undivided attention and on one occasion was the recipient of a personal visit by the Emperor to his sickbed. Horse charms were an important feature of the Sung dynasty looking back to famous battles and individual horses as well as significant events in earlier dynasties.