This bundle of eight Chinese cash coins tied with red and cream coloured string was once part of a larger feng shui talisman in the shape of a sword. Such objects where believed to hold the power to ward off evil spirits and sickness like fever that was believed to be caused by malicious spirits. The sword shape of the talisman invokes the sword carried by the the Taoist Immortal, Zhong Kui, a figure whose role was too subdue demons. Because of this, his imagery was believed to scare off evil spirits.

The entire talismans would usually consist of a metal rod, covered with coins which formed the main sword body and from which a separate bundle of coins linked with string from which sinlge coins would dangling. It is this latter bundle of coins which survives today in this collection. The coins of this bundle date to the reign of Emperor Qianlong (Reigned 1736-1796) whose coinage is considered to be incredibly potent for such auspicious purposes; Seccond only to those minted during the reign of emperor Emperor Kangxi.