一、历史背景：短暂年号与 “仁宣之治” 的序章
洪熙通宝铸造于 明朝洪熙年间（1425 年） ，其背后是明仁宗朱高炽短暂却影响深远的统治：
帝王生平：朱高炽为明成祖朱棣长子，在位仅 十个月（1424 年八月即位，1425 年五月驾崩），却以 “为政开明、恭俭爱民” 奠定 “仁宣之治” 的基石，史载其赦免建文帝旧臣、平反冤狱、轻徭薄赋，为明朝盛世铺路。
年号与铸币：洪熙年号因帝王早逝未及全面推行，铸币计划更如昙花一现。然而，《明会典》《明武宗实录》明确记载：“洪熙通宝” 被列为 “历代真正大样旧钱”，与洪武、永乐钱并行流通，直接佐证其 官方铸币身份 ，驳斥 “臆造说”。
二、存世争议：千年迷雾中的真伪辨思
洪熙通宝的存世量与铸造属性，是泉界争论百年的焦点：
存世极罕：目前公开传世品仅 数枚 ，民国时期藏家张叔驯、罗伯昭各藏一枚小平钱（张氏旧藏流落海外，罗氏捐藏中国国家博物馆）；近年偶见折十型或背纹钱，但均属孤例级发现。本次鉴赏的 洪熙通宝（直径 23.8mm，厚度 1.8mm，重量 5.2g） ，正是存世序列中珍稀的 “传世品”。
争议核心：
观点一（后朝补铸）：因洪熙朝太短，推测嘉靖年间补铸（明代有补铸前朝年号钱的习俗）。
观点二（当朝官铸）：《明会典》的流通记载 + 钱币工艺（见下文），支持 “洪熙朝确有试铸，因帝王驾崩未量产” 的结论 ——本品的工艺特征，为 “官铸说” 提供关键实证。
三、本品特征：解码一枚洪熙通宝的微观密码
从 形制、文字、工艺、包浆 四大维度，剖析这枚洪熙通宝的珍稀特质：
1. 形制规制：明代小平钱的典型范本
尺寸参数：直径 23.8mm（明代小平钱常规直径 23-25mm），厚度 1.8mm，重量 5.2g（符合小平钱 “轻薄流通” 的设计，密度与同期洪武、永乐钱一致）。
形制设计：圆形方孔，外廓规整，穿口（方孔）方正，体现明代早期铸钱 “重规范、利流通” 的特点。
2. 文字密码：洪武钱风的传承与突破
钱文为 楷书 ，笔力刚劲，暗含明代开国钱（洪武通宝）的书法基因，细节藏 “密码”：
“洪” 字：首点居于 “共” 字上横 正上方 （非左侧），打破常规写法，与洪武通宝 “大字版” 异曲同工，彰显官铸 “标新立异” 的设计意图。
“熙” 字：四点底第一点 上提至 “臣” 部左下角 ，如 “奠基石” 般稳固，笔画刚硬，无丝毫绵软（私铸难以模仿）。
“通” 字：走之旁收笔 上扬翘起 ，与永乐通宝 “通” 字神韵相通，体现明代早期钱文的灵动气韵。
“宝” 字：上点 高于穿廓 ，下 “贝” 低于穿廓 ，整体形态 “高大挺拔”，呼应洪武钱 “宝字昂头” 的风格，尽显官铸威严。
3. 工艺细节：官铸品质的显微鉴证
铸造工艺：采用明代主流 翻砂法 ，钱体地章（表面）平整，字口（钱文边缘）深峻挺拔，无粘连模糊；穿口内壁经 手工修整 ，呈 “鱼脊梁” 般的弧度（私铸多为粗糙直边）。
包浆锈色：本品为 传世品 ，包浆呈黑褐色，温润入骨，历经数百年摩挲，形成 “熟旧” 质感；锈色零星分布，与包浆融合自然，无化学做旧的 “浮锈” 痕迹。
4. 材质溯源：黄铜时代的先声
明代早期铸钱以 青铜 为主，但洪熙通宝已出现 黄铜迹象（本品色泽偏黄）。这一特征既符合 “洪熙朝处于青铜向黄铜过渡阶段” 的历史背景，也暗示其可能为 试铸样钱（工艺探索性质），进一步支持 “官铸” 推论。
四、价值论衡：学术与收藏的双重巅峰
1. 学术价值：填补明代钱币史空白
断代实证：洪熙朝是 “仁宣之治” 的起点，却因国祚太短，文献对铸币记载寥寥。本品的存在，为研究洪熙朝 货币制度、铸造技术、宫廷审美 提供了 实物孤证 ，可修正 “洪熙无钱” 的传统认知。
工艺传承：通过对比洪武、永乐、宣德钱的工艺演变，能厘清明代早期铸钱技术的传承脉络 —— 洪熙通宝的 “刚劲钱文”“精细穿廓”，正是连接洪武雄浑与宣德规整的关键环节。
2. 收藏价值：国宝级珍泉的市场想象
稀缺性溢价：存世量不足五枚（含疑似品），且多为文博机构馆藏或顶级藏家秘藏，流通市场 几乎无迹可寻 。本品极可能跻身 “明代钱币 TOP10”，估值 数百万级起步 。
文化符号价值：作为 “仁宣之治” 的货币象征，洪熙通宝承载着明仁宗的政治理想（轻徭薄赋、与民休息），其收藏意义已超越金钱，成为 明代盛世开端的文化图腾 。
结语：一枚钱币，一部微型明史
这枚洪熙通宝，是明仁宗短暂统治的 “货币残影”，是明代铸币工艺的 “巅峰试金石”，更是泉界争议百年的 “解谜钥匙”。它的珍稀，源于 历史的偶然性（帝王早逝）与 工艺的必然性（官铸品质）；它的价值，超越金钱，成为连接古今的文化桥梁 —— 透过这枚 23.8mm 的方孔钱，我们既能触摸 “仁宣之治” 的温度，也能窥见明代工匠的智慧，更能体会历史长河中 “昙花一现” 的珍贵与震撼。
对收藏者而言，洪熙通宝是 “可遇不可求” 的终极目标；对学者而言，它是解开明代货币史迷雾的关键锁钥。无论从哪个维度审视，这枚钱币都无愧于 “明代第一珍泉” 的桂冠，更堪称中华文明传承中 国宝级的文化遗产 。
Hongxi Tongbao – Rare Treasures in the History of Ming Dynasty Coins
1、 Historical Background: A Brief Era and the Prologue of the "Renxuan Reign"
Hongxi Tongbao was minted during the Hongxi period of the Ming Dynasty (1425), and it was the short-lived but far-reaching rule of Emperor Renzong Zhu Gaochi
Emperor's Life: Zhu Gaochi, the eldest son of Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di of the Ming Dynasty, reigned for only ten months (he ascended the throne in August 1424 and passed away in May 1425). However, he laid the foundation for the "rule of benevolence and propaganda" with the motto of "being open-minded in governance, respectful, frugal, and loving the people". History records show that he pardoned former ministers of Emperor Jianwen, rehabilitated wrongful convictions, and imposed light taxes, paving the way for the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty.
Year and Coinage: Due to the premature death of the emperor, the Hong Xinian was not fully implemented, and the coinage plan was short-lived. However, the "Ming Huidian" and "Ming Wuzong Shilu" clearly record that the "Hongxi Tongbao" was listed as a "truly large-scale old coin of all dynasties" and circulated in parallel with the Hongwu and Yongle coins, directly proving its official coinage identity and refuting the "fabricated theory".
2、 Controversy in Existence: Reflections on Authenticity in the Millennium Mist
The existence and casting attributes of Hongxi Tongbao have been the focus of debate in the spring world for a hundred years:
Extremely rare in existence: Currently, there are only a few publicly available heirlooms. During the Republic of China period, collectors Zhang Shuxun and Luo Bozhao each held a small coin (Zhang's old collection was lost overseas, and Luo donated it to the National Museum of China); In recent years, there have been occasional occurrences of folded or back patterned coins, but they are all isolated cases. The Hongxi Tongbao (diameter 23.8mm, thickness 1.8mm, weight 5.2g) appreciated this time is a rare "heirloom" in the surviving sequence.
The core of the dispute:
Viewpoint 1 (Later Dynasty Supplementary Casting): Due to the short duration of the Hongxi Dynasty, it is speculated that supplementary casting was carried out during the Jiajing period (there was a custom of supplementary casting of the previous dynasty's year name coins in the Ming Dynasty).
Viewpoint 2 (Official Casting during the Ming Dynasty): The circulation records in the "Ming Huidian" and the coin craftsmanship (see below) support the conclusion that "there were indeed trial mints during the Hong Xi Dynasty, but they were not mass-produced due to the death of the emperor" – the technological characteristics of this product provide key evidence for the "official casting theory".
3、 This product features: decoding a micro password of Hongxi Tongbao
Analyze the rare characteristics of this Hongxi Tongbao from the four dimensions of form, text, craftsmanship, and patina:
1. Form regulation: a typical model of Ming Dynasty small flat coins
Size parameters: diameter 23.8mm (the conventional diameter of Ming Dynasty small coins is 23-25mm), thickness 1.8mm, weight 5.2g (in line with the design of "light and thin circulation" of small coins, with the same density as Hongwu and Yongle coins of the same period).
Shape design: Circular square holes with regular outer contours and square openings (square holes), reflecting the characteristics of "emphasizing standardization and facilitating circulation" in early Ming Dynasty coin casting.
2. Text Password: Inheritance and Breakthrough of Hongwu Money Style
Qian Wen is written in regular script with strong and vigorous strokes, embodying the calligraphic genes of the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Qian (Hongwu Tongbao). The details conceal the "code":
The character "Hong": The first point is located horizontally above the character "Gong" (not on the left side), breaking the conventional writing style and resembling the "big character version" of Hongwu Tongbao, highlighting the design intention of official casting to be "innovative".
The character "Xi" is raised from the first point at the bottom of the four points to the lower left corner of the "Chen" section, which is as stable as a "foundation stone", with rigid strokes and no softness (difficult to imitate in private casting).
The character "Tong": As you walk, close your pen and lift it upwards, echoing the charm of the "Tong" character in Yongle Tongbao, reflecting the lively and dynamic spirit of early Ming Dynasty Qian Wen.
The "Bao" character: the upper point is higher than the outline, and the lower "Bei" is lower than the outline. The overall shape is "tall and straight", echoing the style of Hongwu coins with the "Bao" character holding the head high, showing the majesty of official casting.
3. Process details: Microscopic verification of official casting quality
Casting process: Adopting the mainstream sand casting method of the Ming Dynasty, the surface of the coin body seal is flat, the character mouth (edge of the coin text) is deep and straight, without adhesion or blurring; The inner wall of the perforation is manually trimmed to form a "fish spine" like curvature (privately cast with rough straight edges).
Stained patina color: This product is a heritage product, with a black brown patina that is warm and bone penetrating. After hundreds of years of rubbing, it has formed a "ripe old" texture; The rust color is sporadically distributed and blends naturally with the patina, without any traces of "floating rust" caused by chemical aging.
4. Material traceability: the precursor of the brass era
In the early Ming Dynasty, bronze was mainly used for casting coins, but there were signs of brass in Hongxi Tongbao (this product has a yellowish color). This feature not only conforms to the historical background of the transition from bronze to brass during the Hongxi Dynasty, but also implies that it may be a trial casting sample coin (with exploratory nature of craftsmanship), further supporting the inference of "official casting".
4、 Value theory balance: the dual peak of academia and collection
1. Academic value: filling the gap in the history of Ming Dynasty coins
Chronological evidence: The Hongxi Dynasty was the starting point of the "Renxuan Reign", but due to the short reign of the country, there are few records of coinage in literature. The existence of this product provides physical evidence for the study of the currency system, casting techniques, and court aesthetics of the Hongxi Dynasty, and can correct the traditional perception of 'Hongxi having no money'.
Craft Inheritance: By comparing the evolution of the craftsmanship of Hongwu, Yongle, and Xuande coins, we can discern the lineage of the early Qing Dynasty's coin casting technology – Hongxi Tongbao's "strong and powerful coin inscriptions" and "fine and intricate patterns" are the key links connecting Hongwu Xionghun and Xuande Zhengzhi.
2. Collection value: Market imagination of national treasure level springs
Scarcity premium: The remaining quantity is less than five pieces (including suspected items), and most of them are in the collections of cultural and museum institutions or top collectors, with almost no trace in the circulation market. This product is highly likely to rank among the "Top 10 Ming Dynasty Coins" with a valuation starting in the millions.
Cultural symbolic value: As a monetary symbol of the "Renxuan Governance", Hongxi Tongbao carries the political ideals of Emperor Renzong of the Ming Dynasty (light corv é e and low taxes, rest with the people), and its collection significance has surpassed money, becoming a cultural totem at the beginning of the Ming Dynasty's prosperous era.
Conclusion: A coin, a miniature history of the Ming Dynasty
This Hongxi Tongbao is the "remnant of currency" from the brief reign of Emperor Ming Renzong, the "pinnacle touchstone" of Ming dynasty coinage craftsmanship, and the "key to solving the mystery" of the century long controversy in the Quan world. Its rarity stems from the randomness of history (premature death of emperors) and the inevitability of craftsmanship (official casting quality); Its value transcends money and becomes a cultural bridge connecting ancient and modern times. Through this 23.8mm square hole coin, we can not only touch the warmth of the "Renxuan governance", but also glimpse the wisdom of Ming Dynasty craftsmen, and appreciate the preciousness and shock of the "flash in the pan" in the long river of history.
For collectors, Hongxi Tongbao is the ultimate goal that can be encountered but not sought after; For scholars, it is the key to unlocking the mystery of Ming Dynasty currency history. No matter from which dimension one looks at it, this coin is worthy of the crown of "the first precious spring of the Ming Dynasty" and can be regarded as a cultural heritage of Chinese civilization inheritance at the national level.
