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Ancient Chinese coinage includes some of the earliest known coins. These coins, used as early as the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BCE), took the form of imitations of the cowrie shells that were used in ceremonial exchanges.
Chinese cash coins from every major dynasty in Chinese history and the Republic of China. Chinese cash coins were first produced during the Warring States period, and they became standardised as the Ban Liang (半兩) coinage during the Qin dynasty which followed.
In ancient China, coins were the main forms of currency. These coins can be made of copper, iron, lead, gold and silver with different shapes, weight and marks.
Chinese coinage has evolved throughout history, with each dynasty introducing its own unique forms of currency. This article will whisk you through everything—from the origins of ancient Chinese coins to their evolution over the various eras of ancient China. 1. Qin Dynasty: The Square-Hole Revolution. 2. Han Dynasty: Coins Get a Makeover. 3.
Look no further, for the ancient Chinese coin has the longest, richest, and most fascinating lineage of them all; in fact, archeologists recently discovered the world’s oldest coin mint in China.
In early August 2021, Han Zhao and his team of Chinese archaeologists with the State University of Zhengzhou, announced that they had discovered the “world’s oldest coin mint”.
China has a very long tradition of using coins. The same design of coinage lasted 2,000 years and it was the first country to introduce paper money. Other ancient forms of currency included a ‘ bolt of silk ’ in foreign trade with a standard monetary value and for government officials sacks of rice (Chinese measure dàn 担).
The symbolism and inscriptions on early Chinese coins offer a fascinating glimpse into the cultural, political, and spiritual dimensions of ancient China. These coins were not merely instruments of trade; they were imbued with meanings that transcended their economic functions.
In the late Neolithic China, precious stones, brick tea, silk, and cowry shells were used as a medium of exchange. About 4000 years ago, Chinese coins were cast and widely circulated in the Zhou Dynasty. Ever since then, the cast coins became the most common form of ancient Chinese currency.
The NMC boasts a rich collection of all varieties of ancient Chinese coins which spans the entire numismatic history China. Research at the NMC on ancient coins based on its collections is conducted on a continuously basis.