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Appendix: Wanhli Fenglong Coin

*Wuyan Lu* records: Tang Dynasty Kaiyuan Tongbao coins, when burned, release mercury, which can be used in medicine. Those bearing the mark of Yang Guifei's finger pinch are considered superior. The coin is heated red-hot and quenched in vinegar six or seven times. For ophthalmic use, it should be ground; for powder preparations, it is ground into a fine powder together with walnuts. It brightens the eyes; when mixed with vinegar, it specifically targets the eye department. It treats infantile acute and chronic convulsions (Jingfeng).

Yang Renzhai in *Zhizhi Fang* records: There is a prescription called "You Kong Fang Xiong Yin" (Drink of the Hole-Faced Brother), which has miraculous effects in treating slow spleen convulsion (Man Pi Jing Feng) accompanied by phlegm. Select a Kaiyuan Tongbao coin that has two crescent-shaped marks on the upper and lower back, is pale black in color, and relatively small. Place one coin on an iron spoon and roast it over charcoal. Pearl-like beads will form around the perimeter and top/bottom. Remove them, let cool, pour into a cup, and take as one dose. Administer with Nanmuxiang Decoction (South Costus Root Decoction) or Ginseng Decoction. Although this coin promotes the discharge of phlegm, it is not suitable for those with weak stomachs; it must be assisted by Costus root (Muxiang).

For treating Anorexic Dysentery (Jinkou Li - dysentery where the patient cannot eat due to vomiting): Zhang Shi Bixiao Fang records: Take one ancient Kaiyuan coin, heat it and quench in vinegar until the coin dissolves completely. Grind into a fine powder and mix with porridge for the patient to eat. If the condition is severe and the patient cannot even swallow porridge, mix with warm boiled water and administer. After one or two hours (2-4 hours), the patient will desire food. Then, gradually introduce thin porridge, followed by regulating Spleen Qi (Pi Qi), and the illness will heal naturally.

For treating fractures and bone setting: *Huai Xi Za Zhi* records Huang Junsheng from Jiahe stating: To treat fractures and set bones, use Kaigong Yuanbao coins (Kaiyuan Tongbao), burn them, quench in vinegar, grind into powder, and take with wine. The copper powder will coagulate into a ring, encircling and binding the fracture site. This was tested on a chicken with a broken leg, and the bone indeed healed as before. Upon cooking the chicken to inspect the bone, the copper binding was clearly visible. These coins were cast in the early Tang Dynasty, with calligraphy by Ouyang Xun. There is a slight crescent shape on the side, which was a mark accidentally pinched by Empress Wende during the submission of the prototype, and thus left unchanged. The characters on the coin should be read in a circular manner; it is erroneous for common people to simply call it "Kaiyuan Coin."

Zhou Shi Fang: For treating bruises and traumatic injuries: Use one Kaiyuan Tongbao coin, mix with vinegar and wine, and take orally. For severe cases, use two coins, resulting in immediate recovery.

*Gu Fang Xuan Zhu* states: Tang Dynasty Kaiyuan Tongbao coins can also be used in medicine, with efficacy specifically focused on corroding necrotic tissue. Chen Cangqi stated: It can enter the injury site directly and weld broken bones together.

*Guang Zhi* records: From Hetou to Gaolian commanderies, Tang and Song dynasty coins were used. For Kaiyuan Tongbao coins, the version with a flat-top "Yuan" character is superior, while the pointed-top "Yuan" is secondary. For Wanhli coins, the version with a straight downward stroke on the left of the "Li" character is preferred.

Ancient coins can all treat diseases; for example, Han Dynasty Wu Zhu coins and Qin Dynasty Ban Liang coins, which are thin and often have green patina/erosion marks. When treated with vinegar, they are used in ophthalmology. *Bencao Gangmu* has already recorded these, and many people in the world know this. *Qiudeng Conghua* records: In the early Shunzhi reign, many people in Xiaogan County, Hunan, suffered from malaria. Someone found a Kaiyuan Tongbao coin among ancient coins, held it, and recovered. News spread far and wide, with each such coin valued at one string of modern cash coins. If this is true, then it is not only Kaiyuan coins that are usable. However, judging ancient standards against current practices, Kaiyuan Tongbao is most appropriate for medicinal use. Therefore, it is specially highlighted to expand its application.

Wang Cheng's *Ye Ke Cong Shu* records: Two types of Tang coins exist today: Kaiyuan Tongbao and Qianyuan Zhongbao. According to the *Treatise on Food and Money*, Kaiyuan Tongbao was cast during Emperor Gaozu's reign, with a diameter of eight fen, possessing balanced weight and size. The inscription uses three scripts: Bafen, Seal script, and Clerical script. Mints were established in Luoyang, Bingzhou, Youzhou, Yizhou, Guizhou, etc. Three furnaces were granted to Prince of Qin and Prince of Qi, and one to Right Chancellor Pei Ji. Emperor Gaozong revived the Kaiyuan Tongbao, and the whole realm cast it. Emperor Xuanzong also cast this coin. Collections in the capital were widespread. Qianyuan Zhongbao was ordered by Emperor Suzong to be cast by Diwu Qi. Its diameter was one cun, weighing ten jin per string, circulated alongside Kaiyuan Tongbao at a ratio of 1:10. After becoming Chancellor, Diwu Qi ordered casting in Jiangzhou, with a diameter of 1.2 cun, weighing twenty jin per string, circulating alongside Kaiyuan Tongbao at 1:10. Qianyuan coins were only cast during Suzong's reign, whereas Kaiyuan coins were cast across multiple dynasties, hence they remain abundant today.

Note: There are two types of Kaiyuan Tongbao coins: One type bears a finger-pinch mark, resembling a crescent eyebrow, with slightly irregular contours and an antique copper hue; this is what the world calls the "Yang Guifei Finger Mark." Consulting *Tan Bao Lu*, it records: Coins with marks like fingernail scratches are attributed to Empress Wende. During the Wude era, Wu Zhu coins were abolished, and Kaiyuan Tongbao was implemented. These four characters were written by Ouyang Xun. Upon submitting the prototype, a fingernail mark was made, so it was cast as is. Thus, it is known that what is currently transmitted is the "Kaigong" coin (referring to the specific reading/version). Preserved here for reference and verification.