CHINA
1046 1047
1046
Empire. Warring States. ½-Jin “Bridge Crotch Spade Money” (An-Yi-Ban-Jin), 476-221 BC. Inscription
reads from the top of right column to the bottom, then from right column to left column, just like
other traditional Chinese texts. Sharp very fine, holed on the hilt, even dark green patina on both
sides, no corrosion or other damage.
$ 2,000
These spade coins were minted during a special period in Chinese history called the “Warring States” when the country was
separated into several kingdoms The shape of the coins is believed to be an abstract design based on farming tools. This coin
was a legal tender issued by the Kingdom of Wei, which was the most powerful kingdom at the beginning of the Warring
States period. Three different denominations were issued, 2-Jin, 1-Jin and ½-Jin. Compared to the other two denominations,
the ½-Jin coins are typically rarer and harder to locate in high grades. The hole on the hilt is probably not as made, but very
commonly seen for the denomination, just like the holes on Spanish Royal Cobs.
1047
Empire. Warring States. “Round Feet Spade Money”, 475-221 BC. Chinese Character “Lin” for the
name of the city where the coin was minted. Rev. Unverifiable Chinese character (probably “Shi”,
meaning ten) for the number stove that this coin was cast in. Good very fine, a small area of damage on the
hilt of the coin, otherwise a really nice example for this old and rare ancient Chinese coin.
$ 600
The city of Lin was part of Kingdom of Zhao at that time, and the kingdom was considered as one of the strongest powers
at later Warring States period
(image reduced)
1048
Empire. Spring and Autumn (Eastern Zhou D nas ). “Flat Shoulder Curved Feet Emp Hilt Spade
Mone ”, 8
th
to 5
th
Century BC. Straight line large format type. Inscription is probably Chinese
character “Wu” (the fifth Tian-Gan) (Hartill 2.130 type; Fisher’s Ding 49 type). Small hole on the
obverse side of the hollow hilt which does not go through to the other side, good very fine.
A very
rare and popular early type of Chinese spade money.
$ 1,850
During the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, the central government lost power and authority, and controlled only a small area
around the capital. This coin was issued during the later Spring and Autumn period by the Zhou government for circulation
in the suburbs of the capital and adjoining kingdoms. Usually bearing one or two characters, these early spade coins are
collected by types and highly sought after.
