73-33 BC - Western Han dynasty. Superb little "chicken eye" Ji Mu Wu Zhu (=5 Zhus), Emperor Xuan Di (73-49 BC) and Yuan Di (48-33 BC), China - Hartill #10.29

Two Chinese characters Wu Zhu (=5 zhus), no inside rims, outside rim / Inside and outside rims. 13mm, 0.48 grams. Issued ca.73-33 BC. Hartill #10.29; Gratzer/Fishman "One Thousand Years of Wu Zhu Coinage" #14.1

This piece is exceptionally nice, with complete and sharp legends - these coins are rare in such nice condition!

These tiny coins are commonly called "chicken eye wu zhu" (Ji Mu Wu Zhu). These are thought to have been issued during the reigns of Emperor Xuan Di (73-49 BC) and Emperor Yuan Di (48-33 BC), as they are commonly found in graves dating to this period. 

The Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE) and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms (220-265 CE). It was founded by the peasant rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty (9-23 CE) of the former regent Wang Mang. This interregnum separates the Han into two periods: the Western Han (206 BCE9 CE) and Eastern Han (25-220 CE). Spanning over four centuries, the period of the Han Dynasty is considered a golden age in Chinese history. To this day, China's majority ethnic group refers to itself as the "Han people". This coin is unconditionally guaranteed to be authentic.