cash 961-978 AD Kai Yuan TB Emperor Li Yu (961-978), Southern Tang Kingdom, China (H#15.101)

Kai Yuan Tong Bao cash, Li Yu (961-978 AD), Southern Tang Kingdom, "5 dynasties and 10 Kingdoms" period (907-960 AD), China (H#15.101)

Four Chinese characters Kai Yuan Tong Bao (in Li script), broad rims / Blank. 25mm, 3.62 grams. Issued 961-978 AD. Schjoth #-; Hartill 15.101

These coins are distinguished from the Kai Yuan coins of the Tang dynasty by the large obverse rim and the shallow relief of the characters.

The Southern Tang Kingdom (937–975) was one of the most prosperous and culturally sophisticated states of China's Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. Founded by Li Bian, it ruled much of the lower Yangtze region from its capital at Nanjing and became renowned for its wealth, literature, painting, and scholarship. Although initially a powerful kingdom, it gradually lost territory to the expanding Song dynasty and was conquered in 975. Its last ruler, Li Yu, is remembered as one of China's greatest poets, whose writings vividly captured the sorrow of his kingdom's downfall.

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