Chinese Ancient Coin Collecting and Appreciation: 3400 Examples

Author: Yuan Yinlong
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-06-01
Features: The book includes 3,400 examples of coin illustrations and collector's signatures, arranged in chronological order from prehistoric cultures to the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, including coins used by the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom peasant uprising army. Detailed descriptions are provided for each coin, covering its grade, weight, characteristics, metal composition, and collectors. The weights from the time are converted into modern international standards (grams) for easy calculation. This book offers a reliable reference for coin collectors.
The book features 3,400 examples of coin illustrations and collector's signatures, arranged in chronological order from prehistoric cultures to the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, including coins used by the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom peasant uprising army. Detailed descriptions are provided for each coin, covering its grade, weight, characteristics, metal composition, and collectors, with weights from the time converted into modern international standards (grams) for easy calculation. Annotations indicate the practical value of each coin in its historical social context and its current value, allowing for comparisons between past and present to gain a deeper understanding of coin usage and evolution.
Additionally, the book includes biographies of approximately 400 ancient coin researchers, enthusiasts, and collectors from around the world, as well as information and contact details for nearly 100 coin associations and coin trading institutions, enhancing the book's informational content and fostering communication among peers.
The selection criteria follow the development of Chinese ancient coins, prioritizing representative, typical, and non-controversial varieties, with a focus on modern coins over ancient ones. While slightly selecting from commonly discussed varieties in previous works, the book emphasizes newly discovered archaeological finds, such as (lotus-core coins), (-shaped coins), (two-bead coins), (Tang Chu King Shangfu coins), Liao Dynasty coins, Ming and Qing Dynasty coins, and newly discovered (engraved coins), totaling dozens of types. Coins like (Kangxi Treasury coins) and (Xianfeng Treasury coins) are included for the first time to reflect the latest achievements in ancient coin research.
To help beginners quickly understand and master ancient coin knowledge, the book includes an article on "Evaluating the Value of Ancient Coins." The coin illustrations in the book are presented in their original size, with only a few exceptions that are slightly reduced in size due to space constraints, with the original dimensions clearly marked. The length unit used in the illustrations is millimeters, the weight unit is grams, and the metal composition is expressed as a percentage. This is stated here, and no separate preface is provided.