Written by Zhang Shaohua
Reading Mr. Rong Bisong's new book "Reading the History of Tan Quan Wencun - A Collection of Ancient Chinese Coins of the Past Dynasties", I can't help but think of the days when I worked with Mr. Rong in "Collection" magazine more than ten years ago. At that time, it was the golden stage of the development of print media, and it was also the heyday of the first literary collection journal "Collection" magazine in the mainland, and the journal invited many influential experts and scholars in the academic field and collecting circles as column editors and academic hosts, including Mr. Dai Yingxin, an archaeologist, Mr. Wang Hui, a paleographer, Mr. Cheng Zheng, an art critic, Mr. Zhang Maorong, an expert in bronzes and palaeography in Shang and Zhou, Mr. Li Zizhi, an expert in archaeology and history, Mr. Rong Bisong, an expert in ancient coin collection and appraisal, Mr. Chen Genyuan, an expert in the identification of ancient book inscriptions, in addition to working in universities and research institutions, served as the editor and reviewer of important columns of "Collection" magazine, and the teachers' outstanding talents, rigorous academic spirit and humble attitude deeply inspired us young editors.
Later, I was fortunate enough to become the editor-in-chief of the magazine "Collection", and my teachers unreservedly supported my work, and the academic content and circulation of this magazine have been second to none among Chinese art appreciation journals for many years.
Among you gentlemen, Mr. Rong's teachings are particularly useful and touching to us. In the more than ten years he has served as the numismatic column editor of "Collection" magazine, he often brings his own collection of ancient coins, teaches us the numismatic knowledge and identification points in chronological order, explains what they are precious, where they are rare, and the historical information expressed by the ancient words on the coins. Whenever at this time, everyone gathered around Mr. Rong, through his on-site teaching, we truly realized that ancient coins, as the carrier of inheriting historical civilization, are the only physical relics that continue to be produced, and can best reflect the rise and fall of each dynasty from the aspects of politics, economy, military, culture, art, and casting technology.
▲ "Distribution" figure, topology (front and back) overall length 60.5 mm, shoulder width 29 mm, foot width 33 mm, weight 11.6 grams. In the "Chinese Numismatic Dictionary and Pre-Qin Edition", it is designated as a Wei coinage in the early and middle Warring States period, and it is rated as "extremely rare". At present, it is known that the number of "distribution" is about dozens, and there are many mysteries, which are listed by the Quan family as one of the rare varieties of pre-Qin currency. It was originally collected by the Xi'an Jinquan Numismatic Museum, and in the 2010 China Guardian Spring Auction Coin Session, its number was No. 6452, which was commented as "rare, extremely beautiful", and the transaction price was 156,800 yuan.
Mr. Rong Bisong, also known as Tiansong, a native of Nanjing, Jiangsu, settled in Xi'an, was a member of the National Museum Society of China, a member of the Chinese Numismatic Society, a standing director and an academic committee member of the Shaanxi Numismatic Society, a standing director of the Xi'an Numismatic Society, and a member of the Numismatic Appraisal Committee. He served as the executive director of the former Xi'an Jinquan Coin Company, presided over the establishment of the Xi'an Jinquan Numismatic Museum and the journal "Jinquan Numismatics", compiled dozens of physical works such as "Jinquan Treasures", "Coins and Calligraphy", "Money Obsession", "Chinese History - Ancient Coin Appreciation Collection", and published more than 200 academic papers and Zhenquan introduction articles.
Since 1975, he has been conscientiously learning from the first ancient coin pre-Qin Wei An Yibu, and since then, whenever he encounters a famous product, he always delves into its root until it is transparent. By the early 80s, he had made a name for himself in the numismatic world, and his collection and research on Song money at that time was among the best in China, and the Song money research articles signed by Guangping Bisong co-written with Xu Guangping were widely published in the newspapers, showing extraordinary achievements.
In 1997, Mr. Rong and his colleagues initiated the establishment of Xi'an Jinquan Coin Company based on their own collections. Soon, the first privately owned "Exhibition of Ancient Chinese Coins of the Past Dynasties" was held at the Shaanxi History Museum, which lasted for several months and became a sensation. After that, he worked with several colleagues to establish the Xi'an Jinquan Numismatic Museum, which is the first professional numismatic museum in China to visit for free.
▲A commemorative card issued at the opening of the Xi'an Jinquan Coin Museum
Mr. Rong has collected and studied ancient coins for nearly 50 years, and always leaves a rubbings and records as much as possible for rare items that have been handed over, and marks them in accordance with the principle of historical evidence, so that when encountering the same product in the future, it can be used for comparison and reference, as Qing Ren Ni Mo's "Ancient and Modern Qian Luo" said: "Seeing must be recorded, well-known must be written." Mr. is good at identification, so far from the collection of thousands of spring products, there is no lack of rare varieties, all the world's famous treasures or new products, but after tasting the authenticity and identification, the reputation is far and wide, and it has the reputation of the South Jiangbei Bi Bei Rong.
The publication of "Reading Shi Tan Quan Wen" dates back more than 20 years. At that time, in order to better display and promote the collection of the former Jinquan Numismatic Museum, the museum planned to publish a popular book with a general historical overview, and the title of the book was initially set as "Jinquan Treasures". To this end, 108 representative ancient coins were selected, written by Mr. Rong, and compiled independently in the form of "one coin, one discussion" in accordance with the process of China's monetary development history, taking into account the outline contained in the catalogues, and after more than a year of hard work, the manuscript of the book was completed by early 2000.
Later, due to the difficulties in the operation of Jinquan Coin Company, the manuscript could not be published in time, so it was first published by the library journal "Jinquan Numismatics". Subsequently, all the manuscripts, drawings and extensions were serialized and published in "Collection" magazine, which attracted the attention of readers and were forwarded by online media, making these collections widely known, and then becoming collectors' pursuit goals and reference models.
▲Large Qin half two power Qian Tu, Tuo (front and back) face diameter 46 mm, back diameter 48 mm, weight 24 grams. The original collection of Xi'an Jinquan Numismatic Museum is one of the "Golden Spring Hundred Treasures". In the 2010 China Guardian Autumn Auction "Jinquan Ancient Rhyme" coin session, its number is No. 7441, which is commented as "extremely beautiful", with an estimated price of 30,000 to 60,000 yuan and a transaction price of 156,800 yuan.
Two years ago, the manuscript that had been shelved for 20 years was to be handed over to Fu Zi of the Guquan Wenku Cultural Company, which was presided over by Mr. Song Jie, and named "Reading the History of Tan Quan Wencun - A Collection of Ancient Chinese Coins of the Past Dynasties", which is divided into the pre-Qin period, the Qin and Han dynasties, the Wei and Jin dynasties, the Southern and Northern Dynasties periods, the Sui and Tang dynasties and the Ten Kingdoms period, the two Song and Liao Jinxia periods, and the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, a total of six chapters, digging deep into historical materials, detailing the shape characteristics, material data and historical background of 132 ancient coins, rarity, surviving quantity, provenance, rating and pricing, The collection process and market value factors, auction transaction price and other factors, and the introduction of relevant public and private collections, Quanjia collections, China Guardian and other numismatic special lots as a comparative reference, finally became a magnificent masterpiece with a length of 500 pages, more than 1,000 plates, and a total of more than 700,000 words. Its academic views are clear and the information is detailed, which is enough to compare historical materials with real objects and confirm history with physical objects.
Former sage Dai Xi's "Ancient Spring Cong Dialect" said: "Hiding money is expensive to make up for the lack of historical traditions, so those who can take the exam with different money are also the second, and those who do not have the test are second." Tired of the winner under also. "Most of the ancient springs selected in Master Rong's works are the best in the history of Chinese coinage, and some of them are praised as historical treasures by the Quan family in the past, and these spring products are all treasured, hand-expanded or mastered by Mr. Rong, except for the similar ones seen in the public and private collections quoted and compared in the text, which can be preserved as the orderly inheritance of these ancient springs.
▲ The five-zhu cast cut edge "to the wen money" face and back fan (front and back) is 180 mm long and 80 mm wide. In the Beijing Poly Spring 2014 Coin Auction, this set of copper Zifan was first launched for auction, number 12142, and the entry was commented as "rare, precious", with an estimated value of 1 million to 1.8 million yuan.
The study of Chinese coins began with Liu's "Qian Zhi" in the Southern Dynasty, and successive generations of scholars have been following each other, and the Taoist system has been continuous for more than a thousand years. Since the Ming and Qing dynasties, there have been many Quanzhi, the most famous of which is the Ming Wanli edition of Hong Zun (1120-1174) "Quanzhi". In the Qing Dynasty, under the influence of the Qianjia School, it became popular to collect and study ancient springs. During the Republican period, numismaticians and bibliophiles such as Qin Baozhan, Zong Weigong, Xuan Guyu, Ding Fubao, and Ye Dehui achieved remarkable results, promoting the popularization of Quanxue writings and periodicals. The collection and research of numismatic documents by modern and contemporary Quan people has reached an unprecedented height, and Wang Guichen and Ma Dingxiang can be described as masters. In 1992, Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House successively published the "Chinese Numismatic Literature Series" edited by Wang Guichen and Dai Zhiqiang.
▲Kaiyuan Tongbao "Xiaotong Xiaobao" overlooks the moon territory, Tuo (front, back) diameter 25.6 mm, thickness 1.4 mm, weight 4 grams. At present, no more than 10 pieces have been released. Collection of Mr. Rong Bisong of Xi'an.
▲ To and heavy treasure back "fang" iron mother diagram, Tuo (front and back) diameter 35.8 mm, weight 13.6 grams. The original collection of Xi'an Jinquan Numismatic Museum is one of the "Golden Spring Hundred Treasures". At present, there are only a few Zhihebei "Fang" iron mother coins in existence, which are precious. In the catalogue of "Ancient Qiantu Theory of Past Dynasties", Xiding Fubao set it as Yinyang "1,000 yuan", which is the highest price of the ancient spring treasure in the catalog.
On April 9, 2023, the publishing symposium of "Reading the History of Tan Quan Wencun" was held in Xi'an, and famous experts from the national spring industry gathered. Mr. Zhuangquan Tong Deming commented that this book is a masterpiece in the history of Chinese numismatic research. Mr. Song Jie said: The aspiration of the Quan people, or to travel widely and widely, or to seek a complete collection of good refinement, or to make up for the gap of history and add masters, or willing to apply what they have learned to benefit the people's livelihood. Mr. Chen Linlin, a collector, said in his speech: The interaction with Mr. Rong began around 1990, and I was deeply impressed by his knowledge at first sight, and I always asked him for advice as soon as I had any questions. Mr. Liu Feiyan, author of "Huaxia Ancient Spring Price Catalogue", recalled: "I was in Beijing when I published this catalogue, and I was unknown in the Spring Temple, and I traveled all over the country to visit famous artists in order to publish my book. At that time, I visited Mr. Rong's house, and for me, a junior, he unreservedly displayed and introduced his treasures, and let me loosen my hands and feet to play rubbing, and treated me with wine and rice, which made me very moved. In my mind, Teacher Rong is a model for others."
▲Tongzhou Xingshangshu Six Departments Sanwanguan Hui Sub-territory, Tuo (front and back) The length is 235 mm, the width is 110 mm, the thickness is 14 mm, and the height of the column is 28 mm. At present, among the gold dynasty copper banknotes that have been found, this oversized "Huizi" banknote is the first to be seen, which is really rare, and it reflects that inflation at that time had reached an alarming level. In the 2017 China Guardian Autumn Auction "Xiwen Tibetan Spring" coin session, its number is No. 7291, and the comment is "Zhen, Beauty", and the transaction price is 2.53 million yuan.
▲Tongzhou Xingshang Book Six Three-Thousand Guanhui Sub-Edition Expansion (Mirror Image)
▲ The Treasure of the Utmost Integrity on the Back "Ji Quan Banknote Qian Wufen" picture, Tuo (positive and back) Diameter 69.5 mm, weight 85.2 grams. The front of the money is deep, dignified and beautiful, only the back text is slightly overflowing with copper, and its rust color is the best of its kind. Collection of Mr. Rong Bisong of Xi'an.
▲ Ming "Yongle 17th April Day Western and other places bought nine color gold ingot Wu pick up two" gold ingot diagram, Tuo (front and back) 132.5 mm long, 16 mm thick, weight 1948 grams. The collection of the original Xi'an Jinquan Coin Museum, the treasure of the town hall. The date and content of this gold ingot, which is marked as "bought in the West and other places", is related to Zheng He's fifth voyage to the West, which is a physical evidence of the Ming Dynasty's maritime foreign trade, which is of great significance.
As a reading book with professional reference value, "Reading Shi Tan Quan Wencun" is actually a paper coin museum, giving people a heavy sense of solidity, its flexible paper, clear ink color, exquisite design and printing, suitable font size, all give people a warm reading experience. What is remarkable is that it is also a work of high literary value, and its elegant words condense the essence of Mr. Rong's lifelong learning and are fascinating. Since the book market, it has a 100% positive rating on JD.com, and has been evaluated by Confu Net buyers as "a book worthy of being a collectible, unmatched from the quality of the print to the cover." ”
▲Xianfeng Tongbao Back Baofu Bureau "Daqing One Hundred" big money map, Tuo (front, back) diameter 72.5 mm, weight 197 grams, the original collection of Xi'an Jinquan Numismatic Museum. It is not included in the previous genealogy of money, and it is still a unique product of Creation, which is the scope of the first cast sample money, and does not participate in circulation, so it is extremely rare and can be called the "king of clear money". In the 2009 China Guardian Autumn Auction Coin Session, its number was No. 4584, and the transaction price was 1.96 million yuan.
Ancient coin collection is an uncertain thing, people are passers-by after all, but people's cognition of things can be transmitted. With the help of this work, we touch the traces of history. At a time when the uncertainty of the world is increasing sharply and everyone is rushing to seek profits, why not find time to rest, drink a cup of coffee, sip tea, calm down and read Mr. Rong's book, and enjoy the peace and enrichment brought to us by the long-standing cultural relics and ironed texts.
(The numismatic plate in the article is taken from Mr. Rong Bisong's "Reading Shi Tan Quan Wencun - A Collection of Ancient Chinese Coins of the Past Dynasties")
Furuizumi Bunko Series:
Declaration of the establishment of the Koizumi Bunko
The first type of "Shouquan Jituo" in the ancient spring bunko
The second type of "Ancient Spring Collection"
Koizumi Bunko Third "Ashisai Izumi Taku"
Furuizumi Bunko Fourth: "Koizumi Magazine"
The Fifth "Silk Road Collection" of the Guquan Bunko
The Sixth Ancient Spring Library "Outline of Coins of the Ancient Countries of the Maritime Silk Road"
The seventh type of ancient spring library "Muyuan Baiqiquan Tuo"
The eighth type of the ancient spring bunko "Mu Yuan Diary"
The Ninth Kind of "Forbidden City Money Book" in the Guquan Bunko
The tenth type of "Mountain Vagina Collection" in the Koizumi Bunko
Guquan Bunko Eleventh "Daimen Disciple Selected Hidden Springs"
The twelfth type of the ancient spring library Dong Sui's "Money Spectrum"
Guquan Bunko 13 《Kaiyuan Tongbao Collection Expansion》
The 14th "Hengmen Hundred Springs Topping"
The Fifteenth Ancient Spring Library "China-Japan Friendship Spring Friends Exchange Commemorative Spring Genealogy"
The 16th Ancient Spring Bunko "Commemorative Collection of the First Yuanming Coin Seminar"
Guquan Bunko 17th "Collection of Western Xia Coins"
Gucheon Bunko Eighteenth "Ancient Money Genealogy of the Joseon Dynasty"
Ancient Quan Bunko 19th Edition of "Ancient Coins of Vietnamese History", Chinese
The 20th Kind of Guquan Bunko "Jin Kui On the Ancient Periodicals Jinshi Ed.
Koizumi Bunko Twenty-One Showa Izumi Song, Chinese Edition (forthcoming)
Ancient Spring Bunko Twenty-two "Inheritance and Innovation: Exploration and Practice of Spring Coin Research"
Ancient Spring Bunko Twenty-three "Yiquan Zhai Zang Spring"
Guquan Bunko No. 24 "Sigulou Spring Collection Tang Qian Catalogue"
Guquan Bunko Twenty-five "New Orders of Qianyuan Heavy Treasure Money Genealogy"
Guquan Bunko Twenty-Six "Reading the History of Tan Quan Wencun Compendium of Chinese Ancient Coins of the Past Dynasties"
Guquan Bunko Twenty-seven Atlas of Chinese Goods and Shells
Guquan Bunku Twenty-eight Kinds of "Qing Dynasty Sichuan Prefecture County Silver Ingot Examination"
Shousenkai works:
《Continuation of the Ancient Rare Birthday Spring Collection》
"Keju Jiu Rank Shouquan Jituo"
"Shouquan Kai Resumption Commemorative Collection"
"Chunfengtang Septuagenarian Spring Collection"
"Wuwei Seven Rank Shouquan Jituo"
"Seventy Selected Works of Momofukudo"
"Continuation of Sai Kiju Takuji"
《Fukuzen Sensei Jusen Shūtaku》
"Rong Bi Song Seven Rank Shouquan Jituo"