Vault Protector coins (traditional Chinese: 鎮庫錢; simplified Chinese: 镇库钱; pinyin: zhèn kù qián) were a type of Chinese numismatic charm coins created by Chinese mints. These coins were significantly larger, heavier and thicker than regular cash coins and were well-made as they were designed to occupy a special place within the treasury of the mint.[1] The treasury had a spirit hall for offerings to the gods of the Chinese pantheon, and Vault Protector coins would be hung with red silk and tassels for the Chinese God of Wealth.[2] These coins were believed to have charm-like magical powers that would protect the vault while bringing wealth and fortune to the treasury.[3][4]
Vault protector coins were produced for over a thousand years in China, with roots in the Southern Tang dynasty (Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period) and production continued into the Qing dynasty.
- ^ "0151 清 "宝源局造"背"镇库"". 雅昌艺术网. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
- ^ GarryKao (21 August 2015). "收藏迷带你深度游钱币博物馆" (in Chinese (China)). 蝌蚪五线谱. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
- ^ "Vault Protector Coins". Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture). 10 June 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
- ^ "Coins in China's History", published in 1936 by Arthur B. Coole (邱文明).