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<p>Xi’an, once the imperial capital from the Sixteen States (304–439 AD) to the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), was a national hub for currency craftsmanship in ancient China. However, systematic scientific analyses of metallic currency from this period remain scarce. In this work, 15 archaeological coins (including Wuzhu, Buquan, Wuxingdabu, Kaiyuan Tongbao and Daquanwushi) unearthed in Xixian District of Xi’an were characterized for the first time using metallography, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (pXRF) and multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS). The results confirm that all coins are fabricated from Cu-Sn-Pb ternary alloys, with the contents of Sn and Pb exhibiting a distinct high-low-high variation trend from the 4th to the 7th centuries. Lead isotope ratios of the coins likely match the geochemical ranges of lead ores from the Qinling, Taihang and Nanling mountain ranges, and three coins were identified to contain highly radiogenic lead. These findings provide a novel isotopic approach for distinguishing Wuzhu coins of different dynastic origins and shed light on the raw material supply network of ancient Chinese currency craftsmanship.</p>

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The Composition and Lead Material of Archaeological Coins Dating From the 4th to 7th Centuries Unearthed in Xi’an, China

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月19日

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  • Fei Guo,
  • Jiahao Huang,
  • Chen Wu,
  • Yi Chai,
  • Fengyan Zhao,
  • Quanlong Dai,
  • Ji Zhang,
  • Jian Yang

摘要

Xi’an, once the imperial capital from the Sixteen States (304–439 AD) to the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), was a national hub for currency craftsmanship in ancient China. However, systematic scientific analyses of metallic currency from this period remain scarce. In this work, 15 archaeological coins (including Wuzhu, Buquan, Wuxingdabu, Kaiyuan Tongbao and Daquanwushi) unearthed in Xixian District of Xi’an were characterized for the first time using metallography, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (pXRF) and multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS). The results confirm that all coins are fabricated from Cu-Sn-Pb ternary alloys, with the contents of Sn and Pb exhibiting a distinct high-low-high variation trend from the 4th to the 7th centuries. Lead isotope ratios of the coins likely match the geochemical ranges of lead ores from the Qinling, Taihang and Nanling mountain ranges, and three coins were identified to contain highly radiogenic lead. These findings provide a novel isotopic approach for distinguishing Wuzhu coins of different dynastic origins and shed light on the raw material supply network of ancient Chinese currency craftsmanship.