These were later reproduced in bronze before metallic coins of different shapes were introduced. The coins included shovel shapes and knife shapes, later round coins with a square hole in the centre were produced.
These coins weighing half a tael, (one tael equalled approximately 1.3oz or 37.31 grams), were introduced two thousand years ago by the Qin emperor who unified the monetary system for the first time in China.
Paper Money Introduced in the Song Dynasty
Coins and ingots were made from various metals such as brass, copper, silver and gold. Paper money was first officially used during the Song dynasty (960-1279) and continued, with varying fluctuations, to be used as currency throughout the subsequent dynasties. However, the circulation of paper money was limited during the Qing dynasty and their monetary system was based on silver and copper.
