Coin, Wagga

Coin, Wagga

Image Courtesy of: Museum of the Riverina

乾隆通寶 (Qianlong Tongbao)

Translation and Context:

乾隆 (Qianlong) — Refers to the reign title of the Qianlong Emperor (r. 1736–1795) of the Qing dynasty.

通寶 (Tongbao) — Literally “circulating treasure,” a standard inscription meaning currency or coin of general circulation.

Full Meaning:

“Qianlong Tongbao” = Circulating coin of the Qianlong reign.

These coins were cast in bronze or brass and circulated widely across the Qing Empire and its trade networks — including Southeast Asia, Fujian, and southern Chinese ports such as Canton, from which many Chinese migrants departed for Australia.