The Xin Dynasty (9-25 AD) was a brief interregnum within the Han Dynasty, founded by the usurper Wang Mang, who seized power from the Liu family, serving as regent before declaring himself emperor. Known for his ambitious, yet ultimately failed, Confucian-inspired reforms - including land redistribution, monetary overhauls (like complex shell/gold systems), and abolishing slavery.
Wang Mang came to power by usurping Ruzi, the child emperor of the Han dynasty, for whom he was supposed to serve as regent until the emperor was old enough to rule. Wang Mang then declared himself the founder of the Xin dynasty and introduced sweeping reforms across the nation.
The Da Quan Wu Shi coins were part of Wang Mang’s initial currency reforms, with a face value equivalent to fifty of the Wu Zhu coins from the previous Han dynasty. However, Wang Mang aimed to phase out the Wu Zhu entirely, and between year 9 and 10 AD, he introduced a complex and confusing currency system involving tortoise shells, cowrie shells, gold, silver, and a reintroduction of the old spade money.
This new system was highly unpopular with the Chinese population, who continued to use the old Han Wu Zhu coins despite Wang Mang threatening exile for doing so. Eventually, in year 14 AD, he relented and reinstated a simpler copper currency system. Nevertheless, his unsuccessful reforms contributed to his downfall, and in 23 CE, Wang Mang was killed in a rebellion, ending the Xin dynasty after just 16 years.
Wang Mang's radical changes led to widespread discontent, rebellions (like the Red Eyebrows), and his eventual death in 23 AD, paving the way for the Eastern Han.The Han dynasty was restored after his overthrow, and his rule marked the separation between the earlier Western Han dynasty and the later Eastern Han dynasty.
A
Back to Gotheborg.com Home Page