Rare Wu Zhu cash, Gengshi (23-25 AD), revival of Western Han dynasty, China (G/F 3.1)

Two Chinese characters Wu Zhu / Inner and outer rims. 25mm, 3.73 grams. Hartill -; Gratzer/Fishman #B3.2. 

Characters written in double lines, listed in Gratzer/Fishman as a distinct and rare type.

These Wu Zhus were cast during the brief reign of the unfortunate Emperor Gengshi, a member of the Western Han dynasty to briefly ruled the Empire after the fall of Wang Mang in 23 CE.  The Gengshi Emperor was viewed as a weak and incompetent ruler who was unable to keep that empire together. After a reign of two years he was deposed by the Chimei ("Red Eyebrows") rebels and strangled a few months after his defeat.

They are fairly scarce in general (rated “Rare” in Fishman/Gratzer), and very rare in extremely high quality like this piece. The few pieces offered here come from the same hoard from maybe 10 years ago.