Collection of

Kenneth W. Dorney

 

Viewing Chinese Coinage, Archaic to Qin

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Chinese Coins:

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Zhou Dynasty, 400 - 220 BC
Æ "Ant Nose", 16 x 11mm, 2.1 grams
Obverse: Undecipehered. 

References:
Hartill 1.4
Schjöth15-17
FD4

Notes:
While the inscription on this coin is uncertain, the most common interpretation is Bei, or shell, which could be a transition from the original cowrie shell to bronze.  As such, it could be argued that this type is the first proper 'coin', though the definition of that word is highly debatable and without common consensus.  I personally do classify this type as an early coin, and not as 'primitive' as others might.


Zhou Dynasty, State of Yan, 300 - 220 BC
Lead 19mm, 1.9 grams
Obverse: Yi Hua. 

References:
Hartill 6.17
Schjöth 77
FD 382

Notes:
Although Hartill ascribes the new Yi Hua to this coin, Yi Dao remains a very popular reading of the inscription.


Zhou Dynasty, State of Yan, 300 - 220 BC
Lead 18mm, 1.9 grams
Obverse: Yi Hua.
Reverse:  Ji.

References:
Hartill 6.20
FD 384


Zhou Dynasty, 350 - 300 BC
Æ32, 5.7 grams
Obverse: Ban Liang. 

References:
Hartill 7.3
FD 385-7
Jen 46


Zhou Dynasty, 350 - 300 BC
Æ32, 7.67 grams
Obverse: Ban Liang. 

References:
Hartill 7.4

Notes:
'Rosette' hole.  This example is uncleaned and in a rather natural state of preservation.  Unfortunately, the photograph is unable to show the beautiful and fascinating crystallization of the surfaces, which is very attractive in its own right.


Zhou Dynasty, 350 - 300 BC
Æ34, 9.8 grams
Obverse: Ban Liang. 

References:
Hartill 7.6
Schjöth 88
FD 385-7