Coins of Ancient China
1
Spade Coin - Warring States
350-250 BC: Yan spade money. Cast bronze currency of the ancient Yan state, used in trade and commerce during the Warring States period. Its spade-shaped form reflects the agricultural tools that inspired early Chinese coinage.
2
Ming Knife - Warring States
401-220 BC: Like spade money, knife money took the shape of blades and was traded alongside cowrie shells, silk, and turtle shells. This example, the Ming knife, was the most widely circulated "tool" coin during the Warring States period and was cast by the State of Yan.
3
Ban Liang -
Qin Dynasty
221 - 206 BC: With the Qin Dynasty, came a general unification of currency. The Ban Liang was designated as such, being the basis of most other coins ever produced in Chinese history. It's inscription directly translates to "Half a Tael", which is about 0.68 grams.
4
Kaiyuan Tongbao -
Tang Dynasty
621-907 AD: The Kaiyuan Tongbao symbolized one of the heights of Chinese dynastic power. They were standardized which lead to easy mass production, unlike earlier coins. Generally, the coins were clean and had a well cast appearance. Their popularity was so gre that imitations of them continued to be made all the way up until the 1900s.
