Gold’s Eternal Promise: China’s Eight Most Valuable Gold Ingots

Gold’s Eternal Promise: China’s Eight Most Valuable Gold Ingots
黃金永恆的承諾：中國最珍貴的八枚金錠

In the world of antique collecting, many may struggle to appreciate the artistic nuances of porcelain, paintings, or jade, often dismissing them as “overrated” or “unworthy.” But gold—gold is different. Universally recognized and eternally valuable, it needs no introduction. As the saying goes, “Gold never lets you down.”

在古代文物收藏中，許多人可能對瓷器、書畫或玉器的藝術美感不甚了解，甚至會說出「不值錢」這樣的外行話。但黃金——黃金卻截然不同。它舉世公認，永恆保值，無需多言。正如俗語所說：「唯有黃金不負卿。」

1. Ming Dynasty ‘Jiajing 40th Year, Ministry of Revenue’ Fifty-Tael Gold Ingot
一、「大明嘉靖四十年十月戶部造」五十兩金錠

Sold at Poly Auction in 2020 for RMB 8.05 million, weighing 1,870 grams.

保利2020年拍賣：成交價805萬元，重1870克。

Only four such ingots are known to exist today, excavated from the tombs of the Prince of Jin in Shanxi and Prince Liang of Hunan. This ingot is especially significant for its historical context: during the Jiajing era, the Ministry of Revenue converted silver into gold to meet imperial demands—a rare fiscal practice not commonly seen in Ming taxation systems. The inscription details its casting date, authority, and weight.

此類金錠目前僅知存世四枚，出土自山西晉王墓與湖北梁莊王墓。這枚金錠的特別之處在於其歷史背景：嘉靖年間，戶部曾將徵收的白銀轉為黃金，以滿足皇室需求——這是明代賦稅制度中較為特殊的財政操作。銘文詳細記錄了鑄造時間、機構與重量。

2. Zhengde Era Imperial Stables Fifty-Tael Gold Ingot
二、正德八年御馬監五十兩金錠

Sold in 2021 at Guquan Yuandi Spring Auction for RMB 6.9575 million, weighing 1,884.5 grams.

2021年古泉園地春拍以695.75萬元成交，重1884.5克。

Inscribed with “Zhengde 8th Year, Tenth Month, Craftsman Cheng Sheng” and “Supervising Eunuch Zhang Zhao of Ningxia Imperial Stables,” this ingot reflects the strategic importance of Ningxia as a Ming border region. Eunuch Zhang Zhao, recorded in the Veritable Records of Ming Wuzong, was part of a broader system where eunuchs monitored military affairs and interfered in local governance. Previously exhibited at the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore, this piece embodies the political tensions of its time.

金錠兩側刻有「正德八年拾月吉日匠成升」與「鎮守寧夏御馬監太監臣張昭」字樣。寧夏地處明代西北邊境，戰略地位重要。太監張昭在《明武宗實錄》中有記載，其職責既包括監視邊情，也常干預地方政務。這枚金錠原為新加坡藝術機構收藏，並曾於亞洲文明博物館展出多年。

3. Ming Tianqi Era Sichuan Provincial Administration Twenty-Five-Tael Gold Ingot
三、明天啟四川布政使司二十五兩金錠

Sold at Xiling Yinshe Auction in 2025 for RMB 3.22 million, weighing 894.4 grams.

西泠印社2025年拍賣以322萬元成交，重894.4克。

This ingot, inscribed as “fully pure gold submitted by Sichuan Provincial Administration in Tianqi 1st Year,” is an extremely rare example of local taxes delivered to the central government. Twenty-five-tael ingots were even scarcer than fifty-tael ones. It offers insight into regional fiscal operations and Ming gold currency standards.

銘文顯示為「天啟元年四川布政使司解送二十五兩足色金」。明代地方官府向中央解送稅金的實物存世極少，而二十五兩規格的金錠比五十兩的更為稀少。這枚金錠不僅體現了明代地方的財政運作，也反映了當時黃金貨幣的鑄造標準。

4. Ming Yongle Era Tribute Gold Ingot from Korea
四、明永樂朝鮮貢伍拾兩金錠

Sold at China Guardian Auction in 2009 for RMB 2.24 million, weighing 1,885 grams.

2009年中國嘉德拍賣會以224萬元成交，重1885克。

Cast by the Silver Workshop Bureau using tribute gold from Korea in the first year of Yongle, this ingot symbolizes the tributary relationship between Ming China and Korea. The Silver Workshop Bureau, established during the Hongwu era, was responsible for crafting gold and silver items for the court. With exquisite craftsmanship and clear inscriptions, this piece serves as both currency and historical witness to international relations.

銘文註明為「永樂元年銀作局用朝鮮貢金鑄造」。銀作局設立於洪武年間，專責宮廷金銀器製作。這枚金錠是明代與朝鮮藩屬關係的重要物證。永樂時期，朝鮮定期向明朝進貢黃金等貴重物品。金錠工藝精湛，銘文清晰完整，兼具貨幣價值與中外交往史意義。

5. Ming Jiajing Era Ministry of Revenue Ten-Tael Gold Ingot
五、明嘉靖戶部造十兩金錠

Sold at Poly Auction in 2018 for RMB 2.07 million, weighing 367 grams.

2018年保利拍賣會以207萬元成交，重367克。

Inscribed with “Jiajing 36th Year, Ministry of Revenue, Fully Pure Gold, One Ingot, Ten Taels,” this piece is exceptionally rare—even more so than fifty-tael ingots. Ming gold ingots were primarily used for imperial expenses, rewards, and national reserves, seldom entering market circulation. Its standardized inscription and pure gold quality reflect official Ming casting practices.

刻有「嘉靖三十六年內戶部造足色金壹錠拾兩重」銘文，記載信息完整。明代十兩金錠存世量較五十兩更少，考古與傳世品均極為罕見。明代金錠主要用於皇室支出、賞賜與國家儲備，極少參與市場流通。該金錠銘文格式規範，金色純正。

6. Northern Song Jingkang Official Ten-Tael Gold Ingot
六、北宋靖康款官製十兩金錠

Sold at Xiling Yinshe Auction in 2010 for RMB 1.792 million, weighing 367 grams.

2010年西泠印社拍賣會以179.2萬元成交，重367克。

Originally acquired in Yangzhou in 1935 by Jewish collector Steven and later kept by numismatist Huang Sixian, this ingot is judged by its shape and inscription to be an official Northern Song product. Cast during the Jin-Song wars, it was likely used for military funding. Its unique form influenced later yuanbao designs—ironically, many modern fake silver ingots imitate this style.

最初由猶太收藏家斯蒂文1935年於揚州購得，後由錢幣收藏家黃思賢珍藏。從形制與銘文判斷，這是北宋末年官方鑄造的金錠。靖康時期宋金戰爭激烈，此金錠可能用於軍費開支。其造型獨特，影響後世元寶形制發展。值得一提的是，現代大量仿製銀元寶均仿造此樣式。

7. Southern Song Twenty-Five-Tael Gold Ingot
七、南宋二十五兩金錠

Sold at China Guardian Auction in 2010 for RMB 1.12 million, weighing 931 grams.

2010年中國嘉德拍賣會以112萬元成交，重931克。

Inscribed with “Craftsman Xiang Wulang,” “Fully Pure Gold,” and “Twenty-Five Taels,” this ingot reflects the booming economy of the Southern Song despite political turmoil. Gold was not used directly in markets but exchanged for copper currency. The craftsman’s mark demonstrates a mature system of gold production.

刻有「相五郎」、「十分金」與「重貳拾伍兩」銘文。南宋時期雖然政局動盪，但商品經濟發達，黃金使用量超過前代。黃金雖不直接參與市場流通，但可兌換銅錢進行交易。金錠上的匠名標記，體現了當時金銀製造業的成熟體系。

8. Ming Chongzhen Era Ji’an Prefecture Twenty-Tael Gold Ingot
八、明崇禎吉安府貳拾兩金錠

Sold at Dajin Haotian 2023 Spring Auction for RMB 1.0925 million, weighing 746.8 grams.

2023年大晉浩天春拍以109.25萬元成交，重746.8克。

This ingot is a physical testament to local governments submitting taxes to the central treasury during the financially strained Chongzhen era. Inscriptions note the submitting office, date, and weight, offering firsthand insight into late Ming fiscal systems. While casting quality remained high, the simpler inscription format hints at political instability affecting minting practices.

這枚金錠是明代後期地方政府上繳國庫的實物證據。崇禎時期明朝財政困難，加徵各種賦稅以維持統治。銘文記錄了上繳機構、時間與重量等信息，為了解明代晚期財政制度提供了第一手資料。其鑄造工藝保持明代官造金錠的一貫水準，但銘文格式已顯簡略，反映出明末政局動盪對貨幣鑄造的影響。

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a beginner, gold ingots represent not just wealth, but a tangible piece of history. At Virtucasa, we celebrate these timeless treasures that bridge the past and present.

無論您是資深藏家還是新手，金錠不僅代表財富，更是歷史的實體見證。在Virtucasa，我們致敬這些跨越古今的永恆珍寶（China’s most valuable gold ingots）。

From 唯有黄金不负卿！中国最贵的八枚大金锭

Gold’s Eternal Promise: China’s Eight Most Valuable Gold Ingots