first coin appeared in China, according to some, even in the eighth century BC.At that time, as a means of monetary inhabitants of China were used cowrie shells.In addition, these breeds giving the sea served as a decoration.
Chinese ancient coins that archaeologists could find were in the form of musical records and was cast in bronze.As a rule, these money were marked characters of their cost and weight.In each Chinese kingdom or inheritance was a type of monetary funds.Over time, the weight and size of these unusual money decreased.Finally, in the first century BC.e.They have become obsolete.There was a classic coin China, whose shape is probably familiar to many - round with a square hole in the middle.
molds of money used by the Chinese, originally were made of panels made of pressed sand.But such matrices were fragile and exploited long.Therefore, they were replaced by limestone.Then there was a two-way matrix.One plate neatly superimposed on another, through special channels of the cast metal in the vacuum.He poured out the excess.
coins were openings to, threading rope through them, they could communicate.In this way, it was very easy to move large amounts of money.Often paying whole bundles rather than individual coins.
In ancient China were frequent currency reforms - for example, the removal of members of the new dynasty of the turnover of all coins.From past rulers got variegated heritage.Coins are of various shapes and kinds.After their withdrawal was introduced a single standard of money.
Coin China mostly cast in bronze.Iron money is used much less frequently, the cost was much lower.Furthermore, in the course it was silver or gold bullion.The composition of the bronze used for the production of money changed depending on the historical period.The highest percentage of the copper in it fell on the reign of several dynasties - Wang Mang, Ming Tang.In the era of Sun copper content of coins fell to 64%.When the Manchu Qing dynasty, this mark has dropped to 50%.This precious metal is often not enough for the production of coins.One of the rulers of this reason, banned the export of money to other countries.
When the Celestial Empire was invaded by the Mongols, the issuance of coins seriously declined.In the course went paper money, which were made on the orders of the new rulers of the Yuan Dynasty.However, the usual round bronze Chinese coin with a square hole in the middle not fallen into disuse.Inscriptions on such money is still made in the language of the Han people.
Regular conquerors, the Manchus, capturing the constant rebellions weakened the Celestial Empire in 1644, we have reformed.They released the coin, signed in their own language.New money was not only bronze, but also silver.In the mid-nineteenth century the mints of China in order to save copper, which is imported from Japan, began to use brass.Applied also imported in the form of Spanish silver pesos.
Modern Coins China - a Yuan, and jiao and feni.The latter are used very rarely, because their purchasing power is very low.Yuan comprises ten jiao, which in turn are divided into 10 fen.It's not like their "leaky" bronze predecessors, modern coins of China.The photo above gives an idea about them.
