Just as the Western part of the world discovered the very
first coins in history, China represented the East and made their very own
coins. China has been a rich civilization since the ancient times, and the
Chinese valued trade and commerce. Because they were actively seeking trade and
made contacts with places that required long distance travel, the system of
barter wasn’t very efficient for them. This is probably why the idea of coinage
came to mind.
The Chinese have been using cowry for local trades since the
16th to 11th century BC. It seems they have been using money or currency in
some form back 4000 years ago. These forms, however, weren’t officially
classified as coinage. It was in the Zhou and Shang Dynasty that they have
somehow mastered the manipulation and refining of bronze. This was the start of
Chinese coinage.
The first round of coins to ever appear in China were made
during the Warring States Period (475 - 221 BC). These coins were more commonly
known as the huan qian. These coins were ring shaped, as they had holes in the
middle. After the Warring States Period, China was unified and all other forms
of currency were abolished by the emperor. Only two tiers of currency remained:
the higher tier made of gold called shang bi and the lower tier made of bronze
called xia bi.
Probably one of the many famous old coins from China
that coin collecting enthusiasts are excited about is the Y31 Dragon Silver
Dollar. The silver coin was minted in Tianjin in 1911 with two versions, the
shallow strike as well as the deep strike version. Another famous and beautiful
Chinese coin is the 1898 Pearl Scales Dragon Coin. Because of the double die
error, the coin features a dragon with an unusual scaled body, as if wearing a
chainmail. Also famous to coin collectors because of the magnificently bearded
dragon is the Kiangnan 1898 Hirsute Dragon coin.
Aside from the Chinese, probably among the most advanced
countries in Asia in terms of coinage are the Turkish and Middle Eastern
countries under the Ottoman Empire. Coinage in these areas are most inclined to
have gold composition, if not pure gold since there is an abundance of the
metal in the region. Among these are the 2-Hayriye Mahmud II ornately designed
with a circle of flowers and ovals, and the Zari Mahbub- Selim III bearing
tughra letterings on both sides.
The famous rectangular gold coins from Japan are also
remarkable for coin collectors. The coins were minted in Japan from 1867 to
1869. They are also known as the First Coins of the Meiji Restoration. It was
soon after this that Japan opened its gates to Western ideas and adopted the
round coin.
Coins all over the world are as unique and as diverse as the
cultures and the civilizations that make them. There is a certain cultural and
historical imprint on old coins that adds beauty and worth to them.
If ancient coins is something that you would like to focus
on, you can check out trusted numismatic shops like Colonial Acres Coins.
Colonial Acres Coins is your one-stop shop for all your.. numismatic needs.
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