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Warring States Period
Yin Jin Half Qin Spade Money
State of Wei
戰國 陰晉半釿布幣 魏國造
Item number: A1258
Year: 410-332 BC
Material: Bronze
Size: 40.7 x 26.4 x 1.8 mm
Weight: 5.65 g
Provenance: Da Chen Stamps and Coins Collection 2016
This is a “Yin Jin Half Qin Spade Money” (陰晉半釿布幣) minted by the Wei state during the Warring States period. The spade money has a flat, unbordered shape, with the inscription “陰晉半釿” on the front side and a blank reverse. It belongs to the “釿布” category of Spade money. The spade money’s lower square foot and curved shape resemble an arch, so it is also referred to as “Qiao Zu Bu” (橋足布), meaning “bridge-foot Spade Money.”
The character “釿” represents a unit of weight used for calculating the currency’s weight as well as its value. “半釿” indicates the spade money’s value as half a “釿”. “陰晉” refers to the region located in present-day Hua Yin city, Shaanxi Province. Before being annexed by the Qin state in 332 BC, it was part of the Wei state. After the Qin conquest, the region was renamed “Ning Qin.” Therefore, scholars speculate that the “Yin Jin Ban Jin Bu Bi” was minted before 332 BC.
The “Spade Money” is a type of metal coin modelled after spade-shaped agricultural tools, and it is referred to in historical records as “鎛” (Bo) or the homophone “布” (Bu). As the first metal currency in Chinese history, spade money can often be found in the logos of financial departments and banking institutions in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Spade money developed from the late Shang Dynasty to the Warring States period, with the core region being the Three Jin States (Han, Zhao, Wei). Over time, it evolved into various forms. One of the key features of the Wei currency was the coin stamped with the character “釿” (Qin).