Two large Chinese characters Wu Zhu (=5 zhus), "Zhu" is written in double lines, star above hole / Blank, inside and outside rims. 25mm, 3.34 grams. Hartill #10.2 (generic Eastern Han Wu Zhu); Gratzer/Fishman "One thousand years of Wu Zhu coinage" #4.24.
Cast by Emperors Zhangdi (75-88 CE) to Zhidi (145-146 CE). Rare with the star above hole on obverse.
The Eastern Han dynasty (25–220 CE), also called the Later Han, was restored by Emperor Guangwu after the fall of Wang Mang’s Xin regime. Centered in Luoyang, it saw major developments in science, economy, and culture—figures like Zhang Heng and Cai Lun flourished. However, imperial authority steadily weakened as eunuch factions and powerful clans dominated politics. The late 2nd century was marked by the Yellow Turban Rebellion and warlordism. Its collapse paved the way for the Three Kingdoms period.
This coin is unconditionally guaranteed to be authentic.