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Coins of ancient China

The coinage of China has not really changed (until very recently) for the last 2,250 years. With the exception of some spade, knife and bridge shaped pieces, most Chinese coins are cast bronze (AE), uniface, round and have a square hole in the middle. The odd shape of the 'ant nose' specimens suggest a substitution of the cowrie shell, once used as currency in China (see below). There is a tradition that they were inserted into the noses of the dead to keep out the ants. They may or may not be real 'coins'.

 



Anonymous (circa 800 - 400 BC (?))
Bone imitation cowrie
H 1.2; FD 2, Mitchiner ACW 5371, Schjoth -
16 x 25 mm.
2.54 gm.
Obverse:
Reverse: 2 holes.


Anonymous (circa ? BC)
Pottery imitation cowrie
H -; FD -, Schjoth -
18 x 29 mm.
1.85 gm.
Obverse:
Reverse:



Anonymous (circa 400 - 220 BC)
AE 'ghost head' or 'ant nose'
H 1.12; FD 5, Mitchiner ACW -, Schjoth -
11 x 19 mm.
1.37 gm.
Obverse:
Reverse:


Anonymous (circa 400 - 220 BC)
AE 'ghost head' or 'ant nose'
H 1.9 (?); FD 6, Mitchiner ACW 5377, Schjoth XX.14
10 x 20 mm.
1.83 gm.
Obverse:
Reverse:


Anonymous (circa 600 - 220 BC (?))
AE "Wa-Wa (Cicada) Money"
H -; FD -, Schjoth -
21 x 40 mm.
4.26 gm.
Obverse: (no inscription)
Reverse: (no inscription)
Note: This may not be a monetary object.



Anonymous (circa 600 - 400 BC)
AE 'knife money'
H 4.17 (?); FD 338 (?), Mitchiner ACW -, Schjoth 65
165 x 26 mm.
13.41 gm.
Obverse: 'Ba' (?)
Reverse: (?)


Anonymous (circa 350 - 250 BC; state: Yan)
AE 'square-footed spade'
H 3.401; FD 175; Schjoth 5
27 x 42 mm.
5.16 gm.
Obverse: 'Xiang Ping'
Reverse:


Anonymous (circa 250 - 221 BC)
AE Cash
FD 358, Mitchiner ACW 5383, Schjoth 73
44 mm.
8.73 gm.
Obverse: 'Yuan'; round hole.
Reverse:


Anonymous (circa 250 - 221 BC)
AE Cash
Schjoth 76
25 mm.
3.15 gm.
Obverse:
Reverse:


Anonymous (circa 250 - 221 BC)
AE Cash
Schjoth 76
25 mm.
1.85 gm.
Obverse:
Reverse:


Anonymous (circa 250 - 221 BC)
AE Cash
Schjoth 77
19 mm.
1.08 gm.
Obverse: 'Yi (1) Huo'
Reverse:


Anonymous (circa 250 - 221 BC)
AE Cash
Schjoth 78
20 mm.
1.53 gm.
Obverse: 'Yi (1) Huo'
Reverse:


Anonymous (circa 250 - 221 BC)
AE Cash
Schjoth 78
20 mm.
1.85 gm.
Obverse: 'Yi (1) Huo'
Reverse:


Anonymous (circa 250 - 221 BC)
AE Cash
FD 382, Mitchiner ACW 5380, Schjoth 78
20 mm.
1.62 gm.
Obverse: 'Yi (1) Huo'
Reverse:


Qin Dynasty (221 - 207 BC)

Qin Shihuangdi (221 - 210 BC)

Er Shi (210 - 207 BC)


Anonymous (circa 221 - 210 BC)
AE Cash
FD 386, Mitchiner ACW 5387, Schjoth 80
31 mm.
7.43 gm.
Obverse: 'Pan Liang'
Reverse:

 


|
Emperor Kao Ti (206 - 195 BC)
AE Cash
Schjoth 85
19 mm.
0.73 gm.
Obverse: 'Pan Liang'
Reverse:


Emperor Kao Ti (206 - 195 BC)
AE Cash
FD 414, Mitchiner ACW 5398, Schjoth 86
11 mm.
0.22 gm.
Obverse: 'Pan Liang'
Reverse:

Hui Ti [Huidi] (195 - 188 BC)

Empress Kao as regent [Lu Hao] (188 - 180 BC)


Emperor Wen Ti (180 - 157 BC)
AE Pan-liang (175 - 157 BC)
Schjoth 94
24 mm.
2.87 gm.
Obverse: 'Pan Liang'
Reverse:


Emperor Wen Ti (180 - 157 BC)
AE Pan-liang (175 - 157 BC)
FD 425, Mitchiner ACW -, Schjoth 97
24 mm.
1.80 gm.
Obverse: 'Pan Liang'; legends reversed.
Reverse:

Jingdi (157 - 141 BC)


Emperor Wu Ti (141 - 87 BC)
AE Cash
Schjoth 104
24 mm.
2.70 gm.
Obverse: 'Pan Liang'
Reverse:

Wu Ti [Wudi] (141 - 87 BC)


Emperor Wu Ti (141 - 87 BC)
AE Cash
Schjoth 106
24 mm.
2.00 gm.
Obverse: 'Pan Liang'
Reverse:


Emperor Wu Ti (141 - 87 BC)
AE Cash
Schjoth 107
24 mm.
2.29 gm.
Obverse: 'Pan Liang'
Reverse:


Emperor Wu Ti (141 - 87 BC)
AE Cash
Schjoth 112
27 mm.
2.73 gm.
Obverse: 'Pan Liang'
Reverse:


Emperor Wang Mang (9 - 23 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 117
30 mm.
12.21 gm.
Obverse:
Reverse:


Emperor Wang Mang (9 - 23 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 120
29 mm.
4.72 gm.
Obverse:
Reverse:


Emperor Wang Mang (9 - 23 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 121
27 mm.
4.86 gm.
Obverse:
Reverse:


Emperor Wang Mang (9 - 23 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 124
26 mm.
2.77 gm.
Obverse:
Reverse:


Emperor Wang Mang (9 - 23 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 147
22 x 53 mm.
10.82 gm.
Obverse:
Reverse:


Emperor Wang Mang (9 - 23 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 165
23 mm.
2.62 gm.
Obverse:
Reverse:


Emperor Wang Mang (9 - 23 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 177
25 mm.
2.90 gm.
Obverse:
Reverse:


Eastern Han Dynasty (25 - 220 AD)

Guang Wudi (25 - 57 AD)

Mingdi (57 - 75 AD)

Zhangdi (75 - 88 AD)

Hedi (88 - 106 AD)

Shangdi (106 AD)

Andi (106 - 125 AD)

Shundi (125 - 144 AD)

Chongdi (144 - 145 AD)

Zhidi (145 - 146 AD)

Huandi (146 - 168 AD)

Lingdi (168 - 189 AD)


Emperor Lingdi (168 - 189 AD)
Struck 186 AD
AE Wu Shu
FD 512, Mitchiner ACW 5463v., Schjoth 178a
25 mm.
3.54 gm.
Obverse: 'Wu shu'
Reverse:

Xiandi (189 - 220 AD)


|
Emperor Feidi (252 - 258 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 205; FD 548
13 mm.
0.41 gm.
Obverse:
Reverse:


Emperor Feidi (252 - 258 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 206
16 mm.
0.93 gm.
Obverse:
Reverse:


Emperor Feidi (252 - 258 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 206
17 mm.
0.82 gm.
Obverse:
Reverse:

Jingdi (258 - 264 AD)

Modi (264 - 280 AD)


The Disunion Period (265 - 589 AD)
Southern Kingdoms

Western Jin Dynasty (265 - 316 AD)

Wudi (265 - 289 AD)


Emperor Xiao Wudi (454 - 464 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 218
22 mm.
1.73 gm.
12h
Obverse:
Reverse:

Mingdi (465 - 472 AD)

Cang Wu Wang (473 - 476 AD)

Shundi (477 - 479 AD)


Qi Dynasty (479 - 501 AD)

Gaodi (479 - 482 AD)

Wudi (483 - 493 AD)

Mingdi (494 - 498 AD)

Dong Hunhou (499 - 500 AD)

Hedi (501 AD)


Liang Dynasty (502 - 556 AD)

Wudi (502 - 549 AD)


Emperor Wen Hsuan (550 - 559 AD)
AE Wu Shu
Schjoth 242v.
24 mm.
3.78 gm.
Obverse:
Reverse:


Emperor Hsuan (578 - 580 AD)
Struck 580 AD
AE 10 Cash
Schjoth 251
30 mm.
4.49 gm.
Obverse: 'Yung t'ung wan kuo' (The Everlasting Currency of the Empire)
Reverse: Blank.

|
Emperor Kao su (618 - 626 AD)
FE Cash
Schjoth 312v.
26 mm.
4.06 gm.
Obverse:
Reverse:
Note: Iron.


Emperor Kao Tsu (618 - 626 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 314
25 mm.
3.42 gm.
Obverse: K'ai yuan t'ung pao
Reverse:


Emperor Kao Tsu (618 - 626 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 315
25 mm.
4.20 gm.
12h
Obverse:
Reverse:


Emperor Kao Tsu (618 - 626 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 335
24 mm.
4.37 gm.
12h
Obverse:
Reverse:


Emperor Kao Tsu (618 - 626 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 337
24 mm.
3.25 gm.
12h
Obverse:
Reverse:


Emperor Kao Tsu (618 - 626 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 341v.
25 mm.
4.11 gm.
Obverse: Flan flaw at 4h.
RReverse:

Taizong (626 - 649 AD)

Gaozong (649 - 683 AD)

Zhongzong (684, 705 - 710 AD)

Ruizong (684 - 690, 710 - 712 AD)

Wu Zetian (690 - 705 AD)

Xuanzong (712 - 756 AD)

Suzong (756 - 762 AD)


Emperor Su Tsung (756 - 762 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 352
30 mm.
8.48 gm.
Obverse:
Reverse:


Emperor Su Tsung (756 - 762 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 353
24 mm.
3.27 gm.
Obverse: 'Ch'ien yuan chung pao' (The Heavy Currency of Ch'ien Yuan)
Reverse: Traces of sign (Yen?) under hole; this may be Schjoth 364.


Emperor Su Tsung (756 - 762 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 355
33 mm.
11.63 gm.
Obverse:
Reverse:


Emperor Su Tsung (756 - 762 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 362
24 mm.
3.23 gm.
Obverse: 'Ch'ien yuan chung pao' (The Heavy Currency of Ch'ien Yuan)
RReverse: Crescent below hole.

Daizong (762 - 779 AD)

Dezong (779 - 805 AD)

Shunzong (805 AD)

Xianzong (805 - 820 AD)

Muzong (820 - 824 AD)

Jingzong (824 - 827 AD)

Wenzong (827 - 840 AD)

Wuzong (840 - 846 AD)


Emperor Wu ung (840 - 846 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 367
24 mm.
3.87 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse:
Reverse:


Emperor Wu Tsung (840 - 846 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 369
23 mm.
3.27 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse:
Reverse:


Emperor Wu Tsung (840 - 846 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 370, FD 710, MNIS 3410
24 mm.
3.79 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: 'K'ai yuan t'ung pao' (The K'ai yuan Currency)
Reverse: 'Lo' for Lo yang in Honan.


Emperor Wu Tsung (840 - 846 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 383
24 mm.
3.87 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse:
Reverse:


Emperor Wu Tsung (840 - 846 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 393, FD -, MNIS 3406
24 mm.
5.04 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: 'K'ai yuan t'ung pao' (The K'ai yuan Currency)
Reverse: 'Jun' (?) for Chinkiang in Kiangsu.


Emperor Wu Tsung (840 - 846 AD)
Pb Cash
Schjoth -, FD -, MNIS -
23 mm.
5.13 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse: 'K'ai yuan t'ung pao' (The K'ai yuan Currency)
RReverse: 'Yang' (?).

Xuanzong (846 - 859 AD)

Yizong (859 - 873 AD)

Xizong (873 - 888 AD)

Zhaozong (888 - 904 AD)

Aidi (Zhaoxuan) (904 - 907 AD)


Tang Rebels (755 - 763 AD)

SShi Siming (758 - 761 AD)


Shi Siming (758 - 761 AD)
AE Cash
Hartill 14.147; Schjoth 409
35 mm.
16.82 gm.
Die position=12h
Obverse:
Reverse:

 


|
Emperor Liu Yen (917 - 942 AD)
Pb Cash
Schjoth 438v., FD 826
26 mm.
3.94 gm.
Obverse: 'Ch'ien heng chung pao'
Reverse:


Emperor Jen Tsung (1140 - 1193 AD)
AE Cash (1149 - 1168 AD)
Schjoth 1078, FD 1683
24 mm.
3.44 gm.
Reign title: T'ien sheng
Obverse: 'T'ien sheng yuan pao'
Reverse:


Emperor Jen Tsung (1140 - 1193 AD)
FE Cash (1169 - 1193 AD)
Schjoth 1080
24 mm.
3.88 gm.
Magnetic.
Reign title: Ch'ien yu
Obverse: 'Ch'ien yu yuan pao'
RReverse:

Hsiang Tsung (1206 - 1212 AD)

Shen Tsung (1212 - 1222 AD)


Chin Dynasty (1115 - 1260 AD)
[Nu-chen Tartars]

Wan-yen Liang (1149 - 1161 AD)


Emperor Wan-yen Liang (1149 - 1161 AD)
AE Cash (1156 - 1161 AD)
Schjoth 1083
25 mm.
3.47 gm.
Reign title: Cheng lung
Obverse: 'Cheng Lung Yuan Pao'
Reverse:


Emperor Wan-yen Liang (1149 - 1161 AD)
AE Cash (1156 - 1161 AD)
Schjoth 1083
25 mm.
3.97 gm.
Reign title: Cheng lung
Obverse: ''Cheng Lung Yuan Pao'
Reverse:

Shih Tsung (1161 - 1189 AD)

Chang Tsung (1190 - 1208 AD)

 

Yuan Dynasty (1279 - 1368 AD)

Khubilai Khan [Shizu] (1294 - 1307 AD)

Temur Oljeitu/Cheng Tsung [Chengzong] (1294 - 1307 AD)

Khaishan/Wu Tsung [Wuzong] (1308 - 1311 AD)


Emperor Khaishan/Wu Tsung (1308 - 1311 AD)
AE 10 Cash (1310 - 1311 AD)
Schjoth 1099
41 mm.
21.53 gm.
Reign title: Chih ta
Obverse: 'Ta Yuan T'ung Pao'
RReverse:

Ayurbarwada/Jen Tsung [Renzong] (1311 - 1320 AD)

Shidebala [Yingzong] (1321 - 1323 AD)

Yesun Temur [Taiding] (1323 - 1328 AD)

Tugh Temur [Wenzong] (1328 - 1329; 1329 - 1332 AD)

Khoshila [Mingzong] (1329 AD)

Toghon Temur/Shun Ti [Shundi] (1333 - 1368 AD)


Yuan Rebels (1355 - 1368 AD)

The Pretender Han Lin-erh of Sung (1355 AD)

The Pretender Ch'en Yu-liang of Han (1358 - 1363 AD)

The Pretender Chang Shi-ch'eng of Chou (died 1367 AD)

 

Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644 AD)

T'ai Tsu (1368 - 1398 AD)


Emperor T'ai Tsu (1368 - 1398 AD)
AE Cash
Schjoth 1137
23 mm.
2.78 gm.
Reign title: Hung wu
Obverse: 'Hung Wu T'ung Pao'
RReverse:

Hui Ti (1399 - 1402 AD)

Ch'eng Tsu (1403 - 1424 AD)

Jen Tsung (1425 AD)

Hsuan Tsung (1426 - 1435 AD)

Ying Tsung (1436 - 1449; 1457 - 1464 AD)

Tai Tsung or Ching Ti (1450 - 1457 AD)

Hsien Tsung (1465 - 1487 AD)

Hsiao Tsung (1488 - 1505 AD)

Wu Tsung (1506 - 1521 AD)

Shih Tsung (1522 - 1566 AD)

Mu Tsung (1567 - 1572 AD)

Shen Tsung (1573 - 1620 AD)

Kuang Tsung (1620 AD)

Hsi Tsung (1621 - 1627 AD)

CChuang Lieh (1628 - 1644 AD)


Ming Rebels (1644 - 1681 AD)

The Ming Prince of Lu (ousted in 1657 AD)

The Prince of Fu (1644 AD)

The Prince of T'ang (died 1646 AD)

The Prince Yung Ming (died 1662 AD)


Prince Yung Ming (1647 - 1662 AD)
AE 1 Candareen
Schjoth 1322, KM.158
43 mm.
16.07 gm.
Reign title: Yung li
Obverse: 'Yung Li T'ung Pao'
RReverse: yih fen

Li Tzu Ch'eng (1606 - 1645 AD)

Chang Hsien Chung (circa 1644 AD)

Sun K'o Wang (circa ? AD)

Wu San Kuei (died 1678 AD)

WWu Shih Fan (died 1681 AD)

Keng Ching Chung (died 1681 AD)


Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911 AD)


Emperor Shih Tsu (1644 - 1661 AD)
AE Cash (1644 AD)
Schjoth 1405
28 mm.
4.05 gm.
Reign title: Shun chih
Obverse: 'Shun Chih T'ung Pao'
RReverse:


Khardan Chirin (?) (circa 1750 AD)
AE Pul
KWC C.36-7.2r
19 x 17 mm.
8.10 gm.
Obverse:
RReverse: