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Interesting Facts about Ancient Chinese Coins
Ancient Chinese coins have a long history dating as far back as 2000 BC when China was ruled by the Xia dynasty. These coins had many different variations. From size, shape, to design. These coins were unique with each passing dynasty.
During the Shang and Western Zhou eras there were numerous types of coins that came into use. The very first of these coins were cowry money. These were originally made of shells, but substitutes became used later that were made from carved bone. The cowry was outlawed in 221 BC.
During the Spring-Autumn and Warring States era hollow-shaft spade coins were used. Also, some of the first coins resembled knives. They were large and made with a hole at the top for stringing. One kind was called "The Ming" after the city. It was around from 400BC to 225 BC. They, also, had a coin called the "Bu" spade coin. This era also had some of the first round coins.
From 221 to 207 BC the Qin dynasty ruled. Gold and bronze coins were used during this time. The first metal coins were made long before this time, however. They first started sometime around 600 to 300 BC during the Pre-Chou and Chou dynasties.
"Pan Liang" style coins were in service for an extremely long period of time. It is very possible that they were in use up to 2000 years. In some areas they were in use all the way until 1911 AD. The coins were made in the later years of the BC era, somewhere between 140 and 118 BC. These round coins have a square hole in the middle.
During the Han dynasty, which was between 206BC to 220AD, minting coins was made into a state monopoly. In the first century, 220,000 strings of 1000 coins each were made. Coins of the western Han used a casting mould of bronze to make the coins easy to standardize. They used artists to incise the mold since it only had to be done once.
Emperor Yuan-shou introduced the Wu-Ch'U coin during his reign. Much like the Pan Liang this coin was also round with a square middle. The only difference is that this coin has a raised rim to help prevent so much wearing. For 600 years this coin was used in several forms.
From 1280 to 1368 the Mongols ruled China and they, also, had their own round coin with a square in the middle. This coin was very detailed and had many designs. The coin had to be stopped from usage, though, due to people keeping them. The people were given a time frame to exchange the coins or be punished.
The coins of the ancient Chinese varied widely to begin with. After a while, though, they all tended to be round with a square center. Most were eventually made with some kind of metal, usually bronze. The history of each coin is long and belongs to one of the many dynasties China has had over the centuries.
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Interested in old coins?
I am selling 3 old coins on Ebay that are in great condition. Take a look by searching by their item #. They are all buy it now or best offer!!!
1) 1881-cc Morgan Dollar - BU condition.
Item# 190198712397
2) 1905 Gold $2.5 Liberty Eagle - Definitely MS.
Item# 190198773832
3)1909 $5 Gold Indian Head Half Eagle - BU condition.
Item# 190199405233
Thanks!!!
Answer:
I'll have to check them out.
Good luck with your auctions!