至元，作为年号在元代时期先后有元世祖忽必烈至元年间（公元1285—1294年），俗称“前至元”；元顺帝妥懽帖睦尔至元年间（公元1335—1340年），俗称“后至元”。这前后两个至元年间，皆有铸币，且钱文皆为“至元通宝”。
此钱币穿孔适中，外观古拙陈旧，铜质粗糙坚硬，风格质朴庄重，正面钱文为八思巴文“至元通宝”四字，直读。其书写笔划规矩，字体工整挺拔、浑厚有力。横直竖立，钱文字形大，在穿廓与缘廓之间撑满，故其为至元通宝的“大字版”无疑。至元通宝作为历史文化的载体，为我们揭示了元朝时期的社会风貌和经济发展状况。通过观察这些钱币，我们能够更好地理解元朝时期的历史文化背景，同时也能够领略古代铸币技艺的精湛水平。作为一件艺术品和历史文物，至元通宝值得我们深入研究和珍视。
Zhiyuan, as a reign title during the Yuan Dynasty, was known as the "Former Zhiyuan" (1285-1294 AD) during the reign of Emperor Kublai Khan of the Yuan Dynasty; During the reign of Emperor Shun of the Yuan Dynasty (1335-1340 AD), it was commonly known as the "Later Zhiyuan". During the two Zhiyuan periods, coins were minted and the inscriptions were all "Zhiyuan Tongbao".
This coin has moderate perforations, an antique and outdated appearance, rough and hard copper, and a simple and dignified style. The obverse inscription is the four characters "Zhiyuan Tongbao" in the Ba Si Ba script, pronounced directly. Its writing strokes are regular, and the font is neat, straight, and powerful. Standing vertically and horizontally, with a large character shape, it fills the gap between the outline and the edge, making it undoubtedly the "big character version" of the Zhiyuan Tongbao. As a carrier of historical and cultural significance, Zhiyuan Tongbao has revealed to us the social style and economic development of the Yuan Dynasty. By observing these coins, we can better understand the historical and cultural background of the Yuan Dynasty, and also appreciate the exquisite level of ancient coinage techniques. As a work of art and historical relic, Zhiyuan Tongbao is worth our in-depth research and cherish.
