Zhiping Tongbao is one of the ancient Chinese coins minted during the reign of Emperor Yingzong of the Northern Song Dynasty, in the Zhiping era (1064-1067 AD). It is a "dui qian" (a coin with inscriptions on both sides) and comes in three script styles: regular script, seal script, and ancient seal script. The coins can be read directly or in a clockwise direction, with a diameter of about 2.5 centimeters and a weight of approximately 3.6 grams.

After ascending the throne, Emperor Yingzong fell ill and was unable to handle state affairs. Empress Dowager Cao took charge of governance in the Neidongmen Xiaodian Hall. Once Emperor Yingzong's health improved, Empress Dowager Cao relinquished her regency.

Despite Emperor Yingzong's frequent illnesses and occasionally eccentric behavior, he initially showed the qualities of a capable ruler. After the sudden death of Emperor Renzong, the attending physicians were held responsible, and the two main physicians were expelled from the palace and sent to remote regions. Other physicians also feared being demoted. Clearly, Emperor Yingzong had a style characterized by decisive action, in contrast to Emperor Renzong's lenient governance. Furthermore, Emperor Yingzong was a diligent emperor. When presented with memorials, he would inquire in detail about the matter before making a decision, demonstrating a conscientious approach to state affairs.

Emperor Yingzong continued to employ reform-minded officials from Emperor Renzong's era, such as Han Qi, Ouyang Xiu, and Fu Bi, in an effort to initiate reforms in the face of a weak and impoverished nation.

In the third year of the Zhiping era, Emperor Yingzong appointed Sima Guang to establish a bureau dedicated to the compilation of the "Zizhi Tongjian" (Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government), providing government funding and granting access to the imperial library. Sima Guang selected assistants (Liu Shu, Fan Zuyu, Liu Ban, and Sima Kang) and was provided with writing materials, funds, fruits, and pastries to ensure he could devote himself to writing history without worries. The book was completed in the seventh year of the Shenzong era, and Emperor Shenzong personally wrote the preface for the work. In gratitude for Emperor Yingzong's trust and support, Sima Guang devoted all his energy to the compilation of the monumental work "Zizhi Tongjian" over the following 19 years. It can be said that Emperor Yingzong played a role in the completion of this great historical work.

On the nineteenth day of the twelfth month of the third year of the Zhiping era (January 9, 1067), Emperor Yingzong's condition worsened. Chancellor Han Qi submitted a memorial requesting the enthronement of a crown prince. Emperor Yingzong issued an edict proclaiming his eldest son, Prince Ying (Zhao Xu), as the crown prince and granted a general amnesty. On the eighth day of the first month of the fourth year of the Zhiping era (January 25, 1067), Emperor Yingzong passed away at the age of 36. He was interred on the western steps of the palace and posthumously known as Emperor Yingzong. Emperor Yingzong had great hopes for the revival of the Northern Song Dynasty, and compared to his son Emperor Shenzong, he possessed a more mature political approach. Unfortunately, his premature death cut short the possibility of a revival, allowing the era of Emperor Shenzong and the subsequent reform led by Wang Anshi to take place.

治平三年十二月十九日辛丑（1067年1月9日），英宗病情加重，宰相韩琦奏请册立太子，英宗下诏立皇长子颖王赵顼为太子，大赦天下。治平四年正月八日丁巳（1067年1月25日），英宗崩，享年36歲，殯於殿西階，廟號英宗。英宗本人對於北宋中興抱有極大期望，相對其子神宗，政治手段也更為成熟。無奈短命英年早逝，使得北宋過早進入神宗朝，從而失掉了可能的中興計劃，為神宗朝王安石的變法提供了機會