5 Zhu ("Western Han" type; without top rim)

The 5 Zhu coin was introduced by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty in 118 BCE to replace the inconsistent circulating currency of the time. This specific variant, characterized by the absence of an outer rim on the obverse, reflects the standardization efforts of the Western Han government to curb private minting and consolidate monetary control under the central state. It became the dominant form of currency in China for over seven hundred years due to its reliable weight and recognizable design.

The design of the 5 Zhu—a round coin with a square central hole—was carefully calculated for both utility and symbolic significance. The circular shape represented heaven, while the square hole symbolized the earth, reflecting the cosmological views of the era. The inscription, written in the seal script of the time, simply states the coin's weight of five zhu. It was widely regarded by historians as a masterstroke of administrative economic policy, providing a stable foundation for trade across the expanding Han empire.