coin sword; amulet

Coin sword constructed from a central iron rod with a number of cast brass coins threaded onto it to form the hilt. The sword guard and blade are made up from rows of coins threaded through with red string. Individual coins are suspended from it by red and yellow thread. The purpose of a coin sword is to drive away evil spirits. The coin swords were believed to be most powerful when all coins had the same inscription. Most coins used in this sword are from the reign of the Qianlong emperor, 1736-95, who ruled for a full sixty year cycle according to the Chinese calendar, which is a very auspicious number. Some coins are from the Jiaqing period, 1796-1820, and some from the Daoguang period, 1821-50.

A coin-sword was often found hanging on the wall or above the bed to drive away evil spirits.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
nn3607
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 503 g; overall: 464 mm x 80 mm x 24 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
brass; cotton; metal; wood
CATEGORY
Anthropology: Ethnography
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Collection Information

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