Item number: A1641

Year: 475-221 BC

Material: Clay

Size: 25.3 x 18.4 x 5.4 mm

Weight: 1.85 g

Provenance: Da Chen Stamps & Coins Collection 2014

This is a ceramic shell coin unearthed from the Warring States period. The obverse features a central groove mimicking the shape of a natural shell, while the reverse exhibits irregularly sized depressions.

Shell coins were the first form of currency used in ancient times, marking humanity’s transition from barter to monetary trade. Archaeological evidence suggests that during the Shang Dynasty, located in the middle reaches of the Yellow River, shells obtained through trade routes extending from the South China Sea to as far as the Indian Ocean, particularly the Maldives, were used as currency. In addition to natural shells, replicas of shell coins were also made from materials such as clay, stone, jade, and bone. During the late Shang Dynasty, from the 14th to the 11th century BC, bronze shell coins emerged, indicating the advanced development of shell currency in China and even serving as inspiration for Chinese script.

As the Spring and Autumn period began, the value of shell coin gradually declined as various Central Plains states developed alternative metallic currencies. Over time, cowrie shells transitioned into burial goods or decorative ornaments. Ultimately, they were abolished when Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified the Six States and established a standardised monetary system.

物件編號: A164

年代: 公元前 475-221 年

材質: 陶土

尺寸: 25.3 x 18.4 x 5.4 mm

重量: 1.85 g

來源: 大城郵幣社 2014

這是一枚出土於戰國時期的陶質貝幣，正面的中央有一道模仿貝殼的凹槽線，背面則留有大小不一的凹陷。

貝幣是上古時期，人類從以物易物演進到貨幣貿易的第一種貨幣。根據考古資料的佐證，位處黃河中游的商朝藉輾轉貿易從南中國海，甚至遠至印度洋的馬爾地夫得到作為貨幣的海貝。除了天然的海貝之外，也出現以陶土、石頭、玉器和骨骼等原料仿製的貝幣。公元前14至11世紀的商朝晚期，更出現以青銅鑄造的貝幣，標示貝幣在中國的高度發展，甚至成為中國文字的創意靈感。

進入春秋時代之際，隨著中原各國演化出其他金屬貨幣，貝幣作為錢幣的價值逐漸下降，慢慢轉變為陪葬或裝飾用的擺飾，最終隨著秦始皇統一六國制定新的貨幣遭到廢止。