The Ming Dynasty was established by a former peasant and monk, Zhu Yuan Zhang, in 1368. The Ming Dynasty was one of the most influential imperial dynasties, known for its cultural achievements and maritime expeditions. Its coinage typically bore the emperor's reign title in regular Chinese scripts, Ming coins are generally scarcer than Song coins due to Qing era melting and shift to silver as medium of exchange. Multiple cash Ming coins are well sought after by collectors.