New Discovery

Read What Our Swedish Archaeologist Has To Say.



Sten Sjøstrand
Chief Excavator of
Shipwreck Xuande





Viewed From Academic Research & Archaeological Study:
  • Chinese Coins From Shipwreck Xuande?
  • Is Malacca Sultanate Coins A Chinese Coin?

Xuande was found in 1996 about 60 nautical miles from shore. This Ming Dynasty (1426-1435) shipwreck was discovered 52 meters in deep sea water.

  • A number of Chinese coin were found near the pottery.
  • Six came from storage jars, one in each of the six jars.
  • This was perhaps a wish for financial success from the cargo.
  • The various coins dated to Song Dynasty, made mostly of copper with some tin content.
  • These coins were probably minted in Malacca after AD 1405.
  • These coins were reportedly minted in Malacca by the Chinese community from the early 15th century when the traders ran short of coinage.
  • These coins match those described in size, weight and markings by the Malaysian Numismatic Society.
  • This local copying of Chinese coins apparently continued until 1511.
  • In view of the fact that it was prohibited, on pain of death, to handle these coins after 1511, does that dated the wreck to pre-1511 period?

 

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