287, Lot: 550. Estimate $75. Sold for $90. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CHINA, Western Hàn Dynasty. Wǔdì. 141-87 BC. Æ Wu Zhu (26mm, 3.76 g). Cast circa 115-113 BC. Wu Zhu in early Hànzì; spokes radiating from corners of hole / Blank. Thierry, Wu Zhu 4; BN Chinoises II 212; Hartill 10.33 (Uncertain period). VF, green patina with green encrustations, minor cleaning scratches on obverse.

The Wu Zhu coinage was issued in the same types for a period of several hundred years. Dating of this vast series is accomplished by careful comparison of calligraphic variations between specimens found in various Hàn tombs and surviving dated coin molds. This particular issue, with distinct radial spokes on the obverse, is one of the most readily apparent variations.