Large Japanese E-Sen (auspicious charm or amulet), based on the Zheng De Tong Bao dragon and phoenix Chinese coin/charm (see Hartill 26.14 and p.247). 46.6mm, 42.7 grams. Hartill 4.1538.

Despite the inscription (Universal Coin of Zhengde), these were not intended as currency, though they were probably cast at government mints. Amulets with the Zheng De inscription (never issued by the Ming Emperor Zhengde (1505-1521)) were cast in China since the 16th century, and were popular in Japan as well. This is a Japanese piece, cast in the 19th-early 20th century.