On the Coin Minted by King Nguyen Phuc Anh in Gia Dinh

Abstract

According to Dai Nam thuc luc, in 1796, under the reign of King Nguyen Phuc Anh, the coin named "Gia Hung Thong Bao" was minted in Gia Dinh. A number of scholars state that because this event was recorded in the official royal annals, this coin had a more politic significance than economic importance. Though it was not yet official, the two scripts "Gia Hung" casted on the coin still implied the title of Nguyen Phuc Anh. These scripts were similar to the script "Gia Long", the official reign title after his enthronement in 1802.

From our studies of the development of types of minted coins during the Nguyen Lords (1558-1801), and the significance of naming the coin, we believe that "Gia Hung" zinc coins were served in economic term from the period of Nguyen Phuc Khoat of 1746. Therefore, "Gia Hung" was not the title of Nguyen Phuc Anh.