NORTHERN SONG DYNASTY (AD 960-1127)

Chunhua is the fourth nianhao (reign title) that Emperor Taizong of Song used from 990-994 during the Northern Song dynasty. The four characters, Chunhua yuan bao, are believed to be based on the Emperor’s own calligraphy. It has been suggested that the Emperor commissioned coins of this type as an offering when he visited Mount Wutai in Shandong Province for Buddhist worshipping ceremonies. Although the identities of the Buddhist deities on the reverse of the ‘coin’ are not documented, the scene may represent “tongzi bai Guanyin”: Shancai tongzi (Child of wealth) standing on the lotus base on the left offering prayers to Guanyin (Goddess of compassion) seated in dhyanasana on the right.