The numismatic chronicle and journal of the Royal Numismatic Society

126 H. A. KAMSDEN.
with the exception of the one below mentioned, are
flat and uninscribed. The largest of the circular
varieties, reproduced over No. 1, is of the greatest
rarity, one other specimen only being known to exist.
It is a thick piece, one of the thickest that I have
so far seen (3-5 mm.), with what might be termed
a raised edge or border on the outer circumference
of the reverse or under side, forming a sort of rim,
coin fashion, which is not shown in the figure. The
smaller varieties, Nos. 2-7, which are the commonest
type, are flat on both sides. It will be noticed that
they are all more or less of the same size, having also
a uniform thickness of 2 mm. The manner of writing
the inscriptions, in a bold and pleasing style, shows
but little variation, excepting perhaps No. 2, where
the character Tchu is differently fashioned, and may
have been the work of a distinct engraver.
The square series comprises various issues, each of
which must be treated separately. Nos. 8, 9, and 10,
of an average thickness of 1*5 mm., have the central
aperture in the same position as in the round series.
Like them, they also have flat and blank reverses.
In No. 8, which might be considered as the connecting
link between the round and square shapes, the value
inscription " Tze Tchu " alone adorns this specimen,
while in the two following, Nos. 9 and 10, the two
characters for Lin-tzu are engraved on the right and
Tze Tchu on the left of the central hole. The remaining
specimens, Nos. 11 and 12, averaging
3-25 mm. in
thickness, are markedly different from any of the three
preceding square varieties, and present several distinct
and unusual features. The hole in both cases has been
bored lengthwise, perforating the side edges instead of