XRF-analysis
of cash coins of the Xi Xia (Western Xia) dynasty
From different Chinese collectors and coin dealers I’ve heard the
opinion that XiXia dynasty coins were cast from red copper (i.e., from almost
pure copper). From the below table we see that coin alloy of that dynasty in
many cases is usual copper-lead-tin bronze. Speaking in general, the lead and
tin content in XiXia cash coins is not very high in comparison with bronze of
other dynasties. But only one coin – ZENO #68 – can be defined as cast from
the red copper.
I realize that there is possibility that some of tested coins are
fake. Please let me know if you feel any doubts about them. But most of
listed coins are genuine without any doubts and so shows an interesting
result in metal content analysis. Vladimir Belyaev, May 2005 |
||||||||
ZENO |
Coin |
Ag |
Cu |
Pb |
Sn |
Zn |
Other
elements |
Notes |
Fu Sheng Bao
Qian Tangut script |
|
BM |
>10 |
10-15 |
|
As=1-3, Fe>1, Sb |
Hardly patinated |
|
Fu Sheng Bao
Qian Tangut script large cash |
|
BM |
4-6 |
1-3 |
8-12 |
As<0.8, Sb<0.5 |
Later fantasy |
|
Da An Bao
Qian Tangut script |
|
BM |
>15 |
|
|
|
Patinated |
|
Da An Bao
Qian Tangut script |
Tr. |
BM |
10-15 |
|
|
Fe=1-4 |
|
|
Da An Bao
Qian Tangut script |
|
BM |
20-25 |
|
? |
As-? |
|
|
2180* |
Da An Bao
Qian Tangut script |
|
BM |
>15 |
|
|
Fe=1-2 |
Patinated |
Da An Bao
Qian Tangut script |
|
BM |
>15 |
8-10 |
|
Sb |
Patinated |
|
Zhen Guan Bao
Qian Tangut script |
Tr. |
BM |
15-25 |
1-2 |
Tr. |
As=1-3, Sb |
|
|
Yuan De Tong
Bao |
Tr. |
BM |
7-8 |
6-7 |
|
Às=1-2 |
|
|
Yuan De Tong
Bao |
Tr. |
BM |
8-10 |
4-5 |
|
Às=1-3, Sb<0.4 |
|
|
Tian Sheng
Yuan Bao |
Tr. |
BM |
6-8 |
4-7 |
|
Às=1-2, Sb |
|
|
Tian Sheng
Yuan Bao, mother coin
for iron cash |
Tr. |
BM |
8-10 |
8-10 |
|
Ni |
|
|
Qian You Yuan
Bao |
|
BM |
2-3 |
Tr. |
|
Ni |
|
|
Qian You Yuan
Bao |
|
BM |
5-8 |
|
|
Às=1-2, Fe>1 |
Patinated |
|
Qian You Bao
Qian Tangut script |
Tr. |
BM |
15-20 |
3-5 |
|
As=1-3, Fe=1-2, Sb |
|
|
Tian Qing
Yuan Bao |
|
BM |
>10 |
<0,5 |
|
Às=1-4, Fe=1-3 |
Hardly patinated |
|
Tian Qing Bao
Qian Tangut script |
Tr. |
BM |
8-12 |
4-6 |
Tr. |
As=1-2, Sb |
|
|
Tian Qing Bao
Qian Tangut script |
|
BM |
15-20 |
|
|
Fe=3-5, As=1-2 |
|
|
Tian Qing Bao
Qian Tangut script |
|
BM |
15-20 |
2-4 |
|
Fe=1-2 |
|
|
Huang Jian
Yuan Bao |
<0.8 |
BM |
5-7 |
7-9 |
? |
As=1-2, Ni, Sb |
|
|
Guang Ding
Yuan Bao |
|
BM |
8-12 |
6-8 |
|
As=1-2 |
|
Notes: