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Actions Displays	Coin sword Remove from selection Add to selection Reproduction Download mediaDownload as zip file Object number04932 TitleCoin sword DescriptionWhile this does look like a sword, it is no ordinary weapon – more of a magical object designed to ward off evil spirits and ill-health, especially fever. It is a coin-sword, made in the 1850s during the Qianlong dynasty in China. Coin-swords are usually around 60cm in length. They are made using about 100 brass coins known as cash (Chinese coins with a square hole in the middle). These are bound onto an iron rod in an overlapping pattern using cord or wire, which is usually red to symbolise luck and happiness. The charm is said to be stronger if the coins are all issued by the same emperor and the same mint. The best protection is thought to come from coin-swords made with cash from the time of Qianlong’s grandfather, the Kangxi emperor. He reigned for a full sixty-year cycle of the Chinese calendar, and his name means good health and prosperity. Used in feng shui, coin-swords are frequently hung above the bed, on walls or above windows in the house. Tradition has it that evil spirits would not dare to attack the people living there. This is because the coin-sword is said to be like the one wielded by Zhong Kui, the Daoist Immortal, famed slayer of evil demons. Production placeChina, Production period1850's Object namemoney, money sword Commerce MaterialBronze Dimensions whole Length: 585 mm whole Width: 84 mm

Reproduction

Download mediaDownload as zip file

Object number04932

TitleCoin sword

DescriptionWhile this does look like a sword, it is no ordinary weapon – more of a magical object designed to ward off evil spirits and ill-health, especially fever. It is a coin-sword, made in the 1850s during the Qianlong dynasty in China. Coin-swords are usually around 60cm in length. They are made using about 100 brass coins known as cash (Chinese coins with a square hole in the middle). These are bound onto an iron rod in an overlapping pattern using cord or wire, which is usually red to symbolise luck and happiness. The charm is said to be stronger if the coins are all issued by the same emperor and the same mint. The best protection is thought to come from coin-swords made with cash from the time of Qianlong’s grandfather, the Kangxi emperor. He reigned for a full sixty-year cycle of the Chinese calendar, and his name means good health and prosperity. Used in feng shui, coin-swords are frequently hung above the bed, on walls or above windows in the house. Tradition has it that evil spirits would not dare to attack the people living there. This is because the coin-sword is said to be like the one wielded by Zhong Kui, the Daoist Immortal, famed slayer of evil demons.

Production placeChina,

Production period1850's

Object namemoney, money sword

Commerce

MaterialBronze

Dimensions

whole Length: 585 mm
whole Width: 84 mm