Cash is made from izon, an alloy of Copper. It is circular, about tenths of an inch in diameter and has a square hole in the centre by which the pieces are strung in parcels of a hundred for the convenience of counting as also of carrying. It is cast and not stamped or minted. The coin bears the name of the Province in which it is cast on the right side of the square hole, and the Manchu writing for the word "Money" on the left side of the square hole. On the reverse are four Chinese characters, one above and below the hole, giving the Emperor's name (as Kwang Hsu, Kien Lung etc.) and the words "tung pao" signifying current money.
The weight of a cash piece should be 57.98 grains, one Mace (tsien), and hence it is called by the same name, but modern cash coins weigh from 62 to 64 grains exclusive. The value of the coin as fixed by Government is the thousandth part of a tael's weight of silver, at which rate about 700 would be equal to a dollar; but, through the laxity of the Provincial Governors (there being mints in most of the Provinces) and the fraud of the workmen employed, the coin has for many years been debased in the coarsest manner.