Four Chinese characters - Qian Long Tong Bao / mint name in Manchoo (Boo-Jyi). 25mm, 4.27 grams. Baoding mint in Zhili. Cast c.1747-1751. Hartill #22.357

The Qianlong Emperor (25 September 1711 - 7 February 1799) was the fifth emperor of the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty, and the fourth Qing emperor to rule over China proper. The fourth son of the Yongzheng Emperor, he reigned officially from 11 October 1736 to 7 February 1795. On 8 February (the first day of that lunar year), he abdicated in favor of his son, the Jiaqing Emperor - a filial act in order not to reign longer than his grandfather, the illustrious Kangxi Emperor. Despite his retirement, however, he retained ultimate power until his death in 1799, making Qianlong the longest reigning Emperor in Chinese history.