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Ancient Chinese Coins

  • Image of "164 objects related to ancient Chinese money will be on view."

    164 objects related to ancient Chinese money will be on view.

    Asian Gallery (Toyokan) Room 4
    June 5, 2007 (Tue) - September 2, 2007 (Sun)

    Coins made of gold, silver and bronze were used as money during ancient times. On the Mediterranean and in western and central regions of Asia, many kinds of round gold and silver coins were produced. However, in ancient China, the majority of coins were made of bronze and often in various unique shapes.

    Chinese bronze coins developed during the Spring and Autumn/Warring States period (8th - 3rd centuries B.C.), when coins were produced in various shapes. During the following Qin and Han dynasties (3rd century B.C.-3rd century A.D.), round bronze coins featured a square hole. This shape continued to be used until the modern period.

    This thematic display features Chinese bronze coins from the Spring and Autumn period to the Han dynasty and molds used for minting coins, as well as objects that early researchers thought to be ancient Chinese coins, but proved to be wrong after further study. Please enjoy the mysterious world of ancient Chinese coins.

 Major works in this exhibition

* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.
Coins, China, Spring and Autumn period - Warring States period, 6th - 3rd century B.C.
Pottery Mold of Wu Zhu Coins, China, Eastern Han dynasty, 1st - 3rd century AD (Gift of the Ogura Foundation)
Exhibitions