Four Chinese characters Chang Ping Wu Zhu ("The constant and regular 5 zhu"), no inside rim, outside rim / Blank, inside and outside rim. Issued after 550 AD. 24.5mm, 4.17 grams. Hartill 13.27; Gratzer/Fishman #. SJY T1099-51868

The beautiful Chang Ping Wu Zhu coins were cast by the founder of the Northern Qi dynasty, Emperor Wen Xuan Di, in 553. The inscription œChang Ping Wu Zhu� does not refer to the period title (current period title was Tianbao), but means œthe constant and regular Wu Zhu.� The coins are carefully cast, showing beautiful calligraphy. The reverse always has an inner and outer rims. It is not known when the casting ended; the coins are moderately rare, and it is likely that the casting lasted at least until the death of Wen Xuan Di (559), and possibly even longer, until the end of the Northern Qi in 577.