XIN: Wang Mang, AD 7-23, AE 200 cash (7.39g), H-9.21a, yao bu er bai

XIN: Wang Mang, AD 7-23, AE 200 cash (7.39g), H-9.21a, yao bu er bai (baby spade, [value] two hundred), part of the "Ten Spades" series cast from AD 10-14, very light encrustation with Shuiyin Gu patina ("Ancient Mercury"), coins with this appearance were often unearthed in Shaanxi province, EF, RRR, ex Zhao Quanzhi Collection; ex Stephen Album Auction 24, Lot 755. Wang Mang was a nephew of the Dowager Empress Wang, and during his time as her regent he usurped the throne, and founded the Xin Dynasty. He introduced a number of currency reforms which met with varying degrees of success. During the third reform, in AD 10, Wang Mang issued the "Ten Spades" series and according to the History of Han: "The people became bewildered and confused, and these coins did not circulate. They secretly used Wu Zhu coins for their purchases."

Estimate: 1,000-1,200 USD