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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.
4 kwi 2024 · 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.
The first coins in China appear in the 6th century BC, about 100 years after the first known coins were made in Lydia (ancient Turkey). However, the history of money in China begins much earlier with shell money and other pre-coin currency.
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.
During the Warring States period, from the 5th century BC to 221 BC, Chinese money was in the form of bronze objects that were of three main types. The Zhou, the Wei (魏), the Han (韓) and the Qin (秦) all used coins shaped like a spade (bu). The Qi (齊) used money in the shape of a knife (dao).
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.
The various forms of Chinese money through history including cowrie shells, wuzhi square coins and paper money
