China is one of the first countries to use money in the world. In Xia and Shang Dynasties, natural shells were the earliest currency in China. In the late Shang Dynasty, imitation copper coins made of copper appeared, which was the earliest metal currency in China and the earliest metal currency used in human history.
The most basic form of metal coins is square hole round copper coins, and its standard style is five baht in Yuan Shou in the Western Han Dynasty and Bao Tong in Yuan Dynasty in the early Tang Dynasty. In the late Shang Dynasty (4 BC to BC 1 1 century), the cast copper shell unearthed in the tomb of Dasikong Village, Anyang City, Henan Province is the earliest existing metal coin in the world. Centuries before the inventor of Asia Minor in the west.
distinctive national feature
After the mid-Warring States period, a new monetary system centered on Wei and Wei appeared in the north. At the end of the Warring States Period, the Qi, Yan and Qin dynasties presented round coins, which eventually unified China's currency. In addition, the use of gold became popular during the Warring States period. In the southern state of Chu, gold coins and plates were found.
After the Spring and Autumn Period, the original cloth, which evolved from farm tools money, gradually broke away from the legacy of the original farm tools and differentiated from the category of physical money, becoming a real metal coin.
During the Warring States period, three currencies were popular in Zhou and Sanjin areas: flat cloth, knife and money.
Qi is an eastern power between Haidai and Daihai. It has the advantage of fishing and salt, and its business is very developed. Has maintained its own independent knife currency system, until the late emergence.
During the Warring States period, Yan was a big country in the north, with knives and cloth in parallel. Yanming knife is its main currency, and it was also cast in the later period.
Chu has always maintained its unique "ant nose money" copper shell casting system in the south. During the Warring States period, the circulation area of ant nose money expanded and gold prevailed. With the increase of trade with other countries, cloth coins have also appeared.
Before Shang Yang's political reform, Qin's national strength was weak and it was less likely to cast money. So far, no historical records and physical evidence have been found. If there are coins in circulation, it may be money from other countries. In Qin Xiaogong, Shang Yang went to Wei to enter Qin and carried out political reform. After Qin became strong, it was possible to make coins.