32 TIỀN THỜI NHÀ NGÔ VÀ NHÀ ĐINH 940-948

TIỀN THỜI NHÀ NGÔ VÀ NHÀ ĐINH
The Ngo Family. The twelve Suquan. The Dinh Dynasty. The former Le Dynasty.
- 940-1010 A.D.

The Ngo Family - 940-948.

NGO-QUYEN, an Annamese of the state of Ai-chao, was the founder of this family, which
held the reins of power for eighteen years. Ngo-guyen took the name of TIEN-NGO-
VUONG, governing for six years, which were passed in continuous wars.
He left the crown to his son, a minor, under the regency of TAM-CA, who usurped the
throne, proclaiming himself king under the name of BINH-VUONG. Tam-ca, however,
was soon defeated by another son of Ngo-guyen, called HAU, who in an expedition
against the rebels of TUAI-BINH was killed by an arrow in 958.
During this period there is no record of the issue of any coins in Annam.

The twelve Su-quan. - 958-968.

At the time of the death of Hau the country was divided into twelve CHAU. Their
Governors refused to recognize the authority of the NGO Family, and each of them
proclaimed himself king in his own district This state of things lasted for ten years.

The Dinh Dynasty. - 968-981.

One of the above-mentioned Governors took into his service DINH BO-LANH, an
Annamese, who fought against, and finally conquered the other eleven Governors, and in
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968 proclaimed himself king under the name of TIEN-HOANG, giving to his kingdom the
name of Dai-viet.
His reign lasted 25 years and was very glorious. He made a commencement in the work of
organizing the country, passed good laws which were fairly administrated, kept up a
regular army, and coined cash. At his death the country again fell into a state of anarchy.

He had nominated as his successor his third son HAN-LANG, but this prince was
murdered by his elder brother. The second brother TRIEU, aged six years only, then
reigned for a short time, under the regency of a General of the palace; but soon this General
found it more convenient to proclaim himself king, thus putting an end to the DINH
Dynasty.
No. 1. - Obverse: THAI-BINH-HUNG-BAO.
Reverse: The character DINH, the name of the Dynasty.
No. 2. - Obverse: same as before.
Reverse: plain. Coins made by the king TIEN-HOANG. White copper.

The former Le Dynasty. - 981-1010.

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General LE-HOAN ascended the throne under the name of THIEN-PHUOC, and,
following the policy initiated by his predecessor, secured peace on the frontiers by
successful wars against China and Ciampa.
His son and successor, called LONG-VIET, was murdered by his brother NGOA-TRIEU,
three days after he had come to power. This prince, whose conduct was extremely cruel
and bad, soon afterwards proclaimed himself king and committed every kind of excess and
crime, inventing new tortures and ruining the country in every way. With his death the LE
Dynasty came to an end.
No. 3. - Obverse: THIEN-PHUOC-TRAN-BAO, or provincial coin of
Thien-phuoc. At that time, as some fifty years before in China, the provinces of Annam
were called TRAN.
Reverse: The character LE, the name of the Dynasty.
No. 4. - Obverse: Only the character LE in the lower part of the square hole.
Reverse: plain.
The above two coins were cast in the 5th moon of the 5th year of DAI-HAN (986). They
were made principally of white copper, and are rather smaller than the ordinary Chinese
cash.

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