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Types of Chinese Coins

Ancient Chinese coins are favorites with collectors for their odd shapes and rich history. Real, circulated coins from the Zhou Dynasty and other ancient Chinese dynasties carry a true denomination which differentiates it from bullion. Identifying Chinese coins by their inscriptions, or calligraphy, is problematic as the symbols are hard to translate and were out of use at the time the coin was issued. Weight standards and other classification methods vary, but even the new collector can pinpoint ancient Chinese coins by several common characteristics.

Cowry or Shell-Shaped Coins
- Coins carved to resemble cowry shells were common from roughly 122 to 255 B.C., during the Shang and Zhu dynasties. Made from bone, clam shell, stone, and occasionally fashioned from clay and bronze, these imitation shells were among the first forms of Chinese currency. As the years passed, genuine cowry shells with facial features and inscriptions carved on them replaced the plain, primitive versions.
Pointed-, Flat- or Hollowed-Handled Spade Shaped Coins
- Green or earthen-colored spade-shaped coins with hollow handles first appeared in the Chinese State of Zhou around 700 B.C. These coins carry inscriptions near the center or the bottom center. Later, spade coins with longer, pointed feet were used in the Yellow River area, containing both inscriptions and a denomination mark. Flatter, sturdier spades, minted in great quantities around 400 B.C. were easier to use and bore denomination marks, as well as inscriptions indicating the city where it was minted. Anyi and Liang are the most common mint designations.
Knife Coins
- Coins resembling small knives were popularized around the fifth century. They may be pointed at the tip and bear mint designations, or be a ̶0;ming̶1; knife with an angled or slightly curved shape. Ming knives are commonly heavier than the pointed knives and sometimes lack denomination or mint markings.
Round Coins with Round Holes
- There are two types of round coins with round holes. The first version is unrimmed and and carries the denomination ̶0;liang̶1; or ̶0;chin̶1;. The second type has a mint inscription, but no denomination. The most common round-holed coins have a ̶0;Kung̶1; or ̶0;Yuan̶1; mint mark, other round-holed ancient Chinese coins are quite rare and need to be inspected by an expert to determine authenticity.
Round Coins with Square Holes
- These coins carry only a monetary inscription, and are similar in casting methods to the knife coins. They may or may have rims.̶1;Ming-Huo̶1; and ̶0;Yi-Huo̶1; are examples of inscriptions on these coins.

Coin Collecting