Qin, Han, Three Kingdoms, Western and Eastern Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties currencies

Author: Ma Feihai, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-12-01
Features: For a long time, money has greatly influenced the politics, economy, culture, and people's lives of every era, while it itself has also left historical imprints of each era. The study of historical Chinese currency involves a wide range of fields, including the politics, economy, history, geography, epigraphy, aesthetics, metal smelting, and calligraphy art of various periods in Chinese history. Coins are one of the reliable criteria for chronological dating in archaeology. The vast number of Chinese historical coins, both in circulation and unearthed, are precious cultural relics and artifacts. Over a thousand years, many numismatists and historians have left behind a wealth of works. These abundant cultural relics and research findings urgently require further serious organization, study, and summary. Therefore, we have decided to compile the "Great Series of Chinese Historical Currency" to provide systematic scientific materials for the study of Chinese monetary history and numismatics, serving to revitalize China and promote the splendid Chinese culture. The compilation of the "Great Series of Chinese Historical Currency" strives to connect the historical context of each era and analyze the changes in the systems, structures, materials, forms, and distribution patterns of currency, as well as its circulation rules. The entire series is divided into twelve volumes in chronological order: Pre-Qin, Qin, Han, Three Kingdoms, Western and Eastern Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, Song, Liao, Western Xia, Yuan, Ming, Qing, and the Republic of China. Each volume consists of three parts:
1. General Introduction, which provides a comprehensive overview of the currency of that period;
2. Catalogue, which compiles the (or photographs) of various types of currency from that period;
3. Materials, which collects research materials on the currency of that period.
Regarding the content of monetary history, such as the finance, credit, and monetary thought of each historical period, this book only touches upon them in the general introductions of each volume and does not provide a separate introduction.
I. The illustrations included in this volume are 5,062 pieces of currency or coin molds cast and issued during the Qin, Han, Three Kingdoms, Western and Eastern Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties periods.
II. The "General Introduction" reflects the development of currency during this historical period and provides a comprehensive overview based on the research achievements of scholars both at home and abroad.
III. The "Special Studies" offer in-depth and systematic introductions and analyses of some important issues during this historical period, adhering to the principle of freedom of thought and expression. The special studies are arranged by content.
IV. The coin illustrations are arranged in the chronological order of each dynasty. Frequently cited and studied coins unearthed from tombs, caches, etc., are included in the "Selected Important Unearthed Coin Materials."
V. The currency molds of each dynasty that were widely circulated but not specifically identified are listed in the "Common Coins of Eastern Han, Three Kingdoms, Western and Eastern Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties." The coin illustrations that cannot yet be determined as to their casters, locations, or dates are included in the "Coins to Be Determined."
VI. For some dynasties, although there are documented records of their currency, the illustrations of which cannot yet be confirmed, they are marked as "Illustration Pending Determination."
VII. In the "Catalogue," the illustrations of coins or coin molds are generally of original size and include dimensions, weight, and the collector or provider. However, due to incomplete information, some dimensions and weight data are temporarily missing. Additionally, copper coins are no longer marked as copper, while gold, silver, iron, and lead coins are individually marked with their materials.
VIII. The color illustrations span 20 pages, and those with numbered codes are included in the "Catalogue" of this volume.
IX. The "Index" is limited to the coin terms included in this volume. The index adopts the stroke order method for searching.
X. The chronology in this book combines the Gregorian calendar and the Chinese historical calendar. The Gregorian calendar is represented by Arabic numerals, while the Chinese historical calendar is represented by Chinese numerals. For example, the second year of Jianwu in the reign of Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty is 26 AD.
XI. The grading of the currency is based on its historical significance, academic value, rarity, date of first casting, traditional and current social evaluation, and is divided into five grades: four-star (highest), three-star, two-star, one-star, and no-star. This is for reference only.