XI.
The  Ngo Family. The twelve  Suquan. The Dinh Dynasty. The former Le Dynasty. - 940-1010 A.D.

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.

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 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.

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.