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Ancient Chinese coins

Ancient Chinese coinage represents some of the earliest known coins. They were first used as early as the Spring and autumn period (770-476 BC). These early coins took the form of cowrie shells that were used in ceremonial exchanges. The Warring States period saw the introduction of the first metal coins. However, they were not initially round but rather either knife shaped or spade shaped. The beginning of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), the first dynasty to unify China, saw the introduction of standardised round metal coins with a square hole in the center. Subsequent dynasties produced variations on these round coins throughout the imperial period. At first, distribution of the coinage was limited to use around the capital city district but by the beginning of the Han Dynasty, coins were widely used for such as when paying tax, salaries and fines.

Ancient Chinese coins are markedly different from coins produced in the west. Chinese coins were manufactured by being cast in molds, where as western coins were typically cut and hammered or, in later times, milled. Chinese coins were usually made from mixtures of metals such copper, tin and lead, from bronze, brass or iron. Precious metals like gold and silver were uncommonly used. The ratios and purity of the coin metals varied considerably. Most Chinese coins were produced with a square hole in the middle. This was used to allow collections of coins to be threaded on a string for ease of handling. Official coin production was not centralised, but spread over many mint locations throughout the country. Aside from officially produced coins, private coining was common during many stages of history. Various steps were taken over time to try to combat the private coining and limit its effects and making it illegal. At other times private coining was tolerated.

The coins varied in value throughout the history. Some coins were produced in very large numbers. During the Western Han and average of 220 million coins a year were produced. While coins others were of limited circulation and are today extremely rare. Only six examples of Da Quan Wu Qian from the Eastern Wu Dynasty (222-280) are known to exist. Occasionally, large hoards of coins have been uncovered. For example, a hoard was discovered in Jiangsu containing 4,000 Tai Qing Feng Le coins and at Zhangpu in Shaanxi, a sealed jar containing 1,000 Ban Liang coins of various weights and sizes, was discovered.