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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Asian Coins| ▸ |China||View Options:   | | | The earliest Chinese proto-coins, as early as 770 - 476 B.C., were imitations of the cowrie shells used in ceremonial exchanges. The first metal coins, also introduced in this period, were not initially round; instead, they were knife shaped or spade shaped. Round metal coins with a round hole, and then later a square hole, in the center were first introduced around 350 B.C. The beginning of the Qin Dynasty (221 - 206 B.C.), the first dynasty to unify China, standardized coinage for the whole Empire. At first, coinage was limited to use around the capital city district but by the beginning of the Han Dynasty, coins were widely used for paying taxes, salaries, and fines. Ancient Chinese coins are markedly different from coins produced in the west. Chinese coins were cast in molds, unlike western coins which were typically struck (hammered) or, in later times, milled. Chinese coins were usually made from bronze, brass, or iron. Precious metals like gold and silver were uncommonly used. The alloys of the coin metals varied considerably. Most Chinese coins were produced with a square hole in the middle. At the mint coins were threaded on a square rod so that the rough edges could be filed smooth on a lathe, after which they were threaded on strings for ease of handling. Official coin production was sometimes spread over many mint locations throughout the country. Aside from officially produced coins, private coining was common during many stages of Chinese history. At times private coining was tolerated, sometimes it was illegal. Some coins were produced in very large numbers. During the Western Han, an average of 220 million coins a year were produced. Some other types were of limited circulation and are extremely rare today. |
Ming knives are identified by a character that looks like an eye on the obverse. Traditionally this character has been identified as ming, hence the name for the type. Others identify the character as Yi. A mint for Ming knives was unearthed at Xiadu, to the south west of Beijing. This was the site of Yi, capital of the State of Yan from 360 B.C., so the reading of yi has found favor recently. Molds have also been discovered in Shandong. The coins have been found, often in great quantities, across much of northern China and even as far as Korea and Japan. A wide range of characters are found on the reverses. There are two different Ming knife shapes. The first, presumably the earlier, is curved like the pointed tip knives. The second has a straight blade and often a pronounced angled bend in the middle. This shape is known as qing, a chime stone. The alloy contains around 40% copper and they weigh around 16 grams.CH115307. Bronze knife money, Hartill 4.42, Schjoth 51-61, Fisher 342, Paohua DCD 577; 13.155g, 134.3mm long, F, beautiful blue-green patina, chime stone shape, weight 13.155 g, maximum diameter 134.3 mm, die axis 0o, Ming mint, 400 - 220 B.C.; obverse Ming (bright) or Yi; reverse you yi qian (or similar); $80.00 (€75.20)
China, Qing Dynasty, Emperor Gao Zong, 1736 - 1795 A.D. Board of Revenue Type A
The Great Qing, was a Manchu-led imperial dynasty of China (1636–1912) and the last imperial dynasty in Chinese history. The dynasty was officially proclaimed in 1636 in Manchuria (modern-day Northeast China and Russian Manchuria). It seized control of Beijing in 1644, then later expanded its rule over the whole of China proper and Taiwan, and finally expanded into Inner Asia. The dynasty lasted until 1912 when it was overthrown in the Xinhai Revolution.CH114130. Bronze 1 cash, Hartill 22.254, Schjoth 1480, Fisher 2321, weight 5.363 g, maximum diameter 26.4 mm, 1754 - 1760; obverse Qian Long tong bao, orthodox script; reverse Boo yun; $35.00 (€32.90)
China, Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Zhe Zong, 1086 - 1100 A.D.
"Round as the heavens, square as the earth," is a Chinese saying used to metaphorically describe the fabric of the coins. On the practical side, it was discovered very early that a square hole fit a square shaft, which enabled a stacked quantity of coins to be turned on a lathe to remove casting irregularities.CH112442. Bronze 2 cash, Gorny NS 29-2.a, Hartill 16.303, Schjoth 593, Fisher 995; large coin, small size variety, gF, colorful encrustations, weight 7.110 g, maximum diameter 30.9 mm, 1094 - 1097 A.D.; obverse Shao Sheng yuan bao, seal script, clockwise; reverse plain; $12.00 (€11.28) ON RESERVE
China, Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Hui Zong, 1100 - 1125 A.D.
Huizong, one of the most famous Song Dynasty emperors, spent most of his life surrounded by luxury, sophistication, and art, but ended in tragedy. An artist, Huizong neglected the army, and Song China became increasingly weak. On Jan 18, 1126, after the forces of the Jin had crossed the Yellow River and came in sight of the Song capital, Kaifeng, Huizong abdicated in favor of his son Emperor Qinzong. The Jin entered Kaifeng on Jan 9, 1127, and many days of looting, rapes, and massacre followed. Huizong and Qinzong were captured and demoted to commoner. Huizong was deported to northern Manchuria, where he spent the last eight years of his life as a captive.CH112445. Bronze 2 cash, Gorny NS 32-2.a, Hartill 16.369, Schjoth 612, Fisher 1025, gF, colorful deposits and encrustations, weight 7.713 g, maximum diameter 30.5 mm, 1101 - 1106 A.D.; obverse Sheng Song yuan bao, seal script, clockwise; reverse plain; $12.00 (€11.28) ON RESERVE
China, Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Hui Zong, 1100 - 1125 A.D.
Huizong, one of the most famous Song Dynasty emperors, spent most of his life surrounded by luxury, sophistication, and art, but ended in tragedy. An artist, Huizong neglected the army, and Song China became increasingly weak. On Jan 18, 1126, after the forces of the Jin had crossed the Yellow River and came in sight of the Song capital, Kaifeng, Huizong abdicated in favor of his son Emperor Qinzong. The Jin entered Kaifeng on Jan 9, 1127, and many days of looting, rapes, and massacre followed. Huizong and Qinzong were captured and demoted to commoner. Huizong was deported to northern Manchuria, where he spent the last eight years of his life as a captive.CH112446. Bronze 2 cash, Hartill 16.393, Gorny NS 32-2.b, Schjoth 614, Fisher 1026, F, heavy deposits and encrustations; flower (rosette) hole, weight 6.556 g, maximum diameter 31.0 mm, 1101 - 1106 A.D.; obverse Sheng Song yuan bao, running script, clockwise, dot feet bao; reverse plain; $12.00 (€11.28)
China, Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Zhe Zong, 1086 - 1100 A.D.
"Round as the heavens, square as the earth," is a Chinese saying used to metaphorically describe the fabric of the coins. On the practical side, it was discovered very early that a square hole fit a square shaft, which enabled a stacked quantity of coins to be turned on a lathe to remove casting irregularities.CH112440. Bronze 1 cash, Gorny NS 29.a, Hartill 16.291, Schjoth 585, Fisher 990; small size variety, F, light earthen deposits, weight 3.353 g, maximum diameter 23.6 mm, 1094 - 1097 A.D.; obverse Shao Sheng yuan bao, seal script, clockwise; reverse plain; $9.00 (€8.46)
China, Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Zhe Zong, 1086 - 1100 A.D.
"Round as the heavens, square as the earth," is a Chinese saying used to metaphorically describe the fabric of the coins. On the practical side, it was discovered very early that a square hole fit a square shaft, which enabled a stacked quantity of coins to be turned on a lathe to remove casting irregularities.CH112443. Bronze 2 cash, Gorny NS 29-2.b, Hartill 16.319, Schjoth 595, Fisher 996; large coin variety, F, earthen deposits and encrustations, weight 7.436 g, maximum diameter 30.6 mm, 1094 - 1097 A.D.; obverse Shao Sheng yuan bao, running script, clockwise; reverse plain; $9.00 (€8.46)
China, Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Tai Zong, 976 - 997 A.D.
| Known by his temple name Taizong after his death, Zhao Jiong was the second emperor of the Song dynasty in China. Taizong was a hardworking and diligent emperor, notable for reunifying China by conquering the Northern Han and for caring for the well-being of his people. He personally led the campaign against the North, increased agricultural production, organized encyclopedias, expanded the courts and the examination system, and further limited the military power of the jiedushi. He personally wrote the inscriptions on his coins. |  |
China, Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Tai Zong, 976 - 997 A.D.
| Known by his temple name Taizong after his death, Zhao Jiong was the second emperor of the Song dynasty in China. Taizong was a hardworking and diligent emperor, notable for reunifying China by conquering the Northern Han and for caring for the well-being of his people. He personally led the campaign against the North, increased agricultural production, organized encyclopedias, expanded the courts and the examination system, and further limited the military power of the jiedushi. He personally wrote the inscriptions on his coins. | |
China, Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Tai Zong, 976 - 997 A.D.
| Known by his temple name Taizong after his death, Zhao Jiong was the second emperor of the Song dynasty in China. Taizong was a hardworking and diligent emperor, notable for reunifying China by conquering the Northern Han and for caring for the well-being of his people. He personally led the campaign against the North, increased agricultural production, organized encyclopedias, expanded the courts and the examination system, and further limited the military power of the jiedushi. He personally wrote the inscriptions on his coins. | |
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