Do you know Bronzes was an equivalent to Money?

Do you know that Bronze was an equivalent form of money?

Why not? If gold material even until today is a form of money.
certainly even silver; titinium; brass, copper ; iron and bronze materials can still be sold off to get back CASH/money.

Owing a huge vast of bronze vessels during those days in the period of Shang, Zhou,Han and Qin dynasties was an equivalent form of money.
Investment in buying bronze and other metal materials to forge out these bronze vessels are only those rich kings and dukes and marquis could afford. Eventually, smaller piece also made from bronze material into a form of small spade shape; small knife shape and small rounded shape were used also as a form of money.
Today coins were also made with a mxiture of bronze and nickel or brass.
And some used copper or aluminium.
And some used Gold and Silver and Titinium.
Ancient China also used gold and silver materials to made vessels products but because of limited of gold and silver. Bronze and Copper materials were the best choice.

Owing a large quantity of these bronze vessels was a symbol of power and authority and wealth of a person wealth.

As far as I know, Ancient China's era seem to have acquired alot of these raw bronze materials to made these bronze vessels. Many of these bronze vessels were unearthened when modern China today started to convert many of those lands into commerical and residential purpose.

Today these bronze vessels unearthen and once again able to see the light, these bronze vessels become a very hot collection items for antique collectors worldwide.

If you want to see large collection of these bronze vessels that displayed for public viewing, you can visit at a few museums like : Shanghai Museum; BeiJing Museum and Taiwan-Museum.

Very sorry, though I have several collection, unfortunately, I display some of these bronze vessels for " My eyes" and " My guests " only.
However, I will up-load my collection some day.
I am too lazy to snap some digital photos yet.
May try to snap whenever I take vacation leave.

Ancient China Bronze Age - Shang & Zhou Dynasties

The bronze age in China refers to the period between about 2000 and 771 B.C., when bronze was produced on a massive scale for weapons and ritual objects used by the ruling elite. Traditional Chinese histories, written in later centuries, speak of a series of ancient rulers who invented agriculture, writing, and the arts of government. The last of these legendary rulers, Yu, is credited with controlling floods and founding the Xia dynasty. Yu also cast nine sacred bronze vessels that became symbolic of the right to rule, and these were passed on to subsequent dynasties. While the account in the traditional histories is linear, with states following one another in a logical progression, the archaeological record reveals a more complicated picture of Bronze Age China.

Archaeological investigation has confirmed much of the legendary history of the dynasty following the Xia -- the Shang -- but the existence of Xia itself is still debated. Today, Chinese scholars generally identify Xia with the Erlitou culture, but debate continues on whether Erlitou represents an early stage of the Shang dynasty, or whether it is entirely unique. In any event, new prototypes emerged at Erlitou -- in architecture, bronze vessels, tomb structures, and weapons -- that greatly influenced material culture in the Shang and subsequent Zhou dynasties.

Archaeological evidence about the Shang comes mainly from excavations at Zhengzhou and Anyang, both in Henan province. Zhengzhou (the type site of what is called Erligang culture) is assigned to the period 1500 to 1300 B.C. and Anyang (ancient Yinxu) to the period of roughly 1200 to 1050 B.C.

Remains at Zhengzhou include the foundations of city walls, large buildings, bronze foundries, and bone and pottery workshops, as well as a number of burial sites. By 1500 B.C., Shang burial traditions were becoming well defined. The deceased lay in a wooden coffin at the bottom of a shaft. Below the coffin chamber was a sacrificial pit (yaokeng) containing the body of a sacrificed man or dog (probably a guard). Surrounding the chamber was a platform (ercengtai) that held grave goods and more human sacrifices. Sacrifices of humans and animals were also placed beneath the foundations of buildings at this time. Bronze vessels included in burials were much larger than those created previously, and more varied in shape.

Archaeology has now revealed that important regional centers existed alongside the Shang, including those centered around the site of Dayangzhou, south of the Yangzi River basin in Jiangxi province, and the site of Sanxingdui (see More About The Finds at Sanxingdui), just north of the modern city of Chengdu in Sichuan province.

Dayangzhou produced a large burial chamber filled with hundreds of ceramics, bronzes (both weapons and vessels), and jades. Some of the bronzes could be related to types found at Erligang, but others, such as the meat-cooking vessels and bronze bells, were unique to Dayangzhou. Dayangzhou was also distinctive for its use of human heads, ram heads, deer, and especially tigers in design.

What is " Ancient China Bronzes"?

(Bottom ) Shi Qiang Bronze vessel with Chinese oracle writing inscribed (PAN)H 16.2 cm, D 47.3 cm Middle Western Zhou Dynasty (end of 10th century B.C.)From Hoard 1, Zhuangbai, Fufeng, Shaanxi ProvinceExcavated in 1976-1977

Market Auction estimated price worth: US$20,000

(Above) Bronze owl-shaped vessel (ZUN)H 46.3 cmLate Shang Period (c. 1200 B.C.)From Tomb 5, Xiaotun Locus North, at Yinxu, Anyang, Henan ProvinceExcavated in 1976

Market Auction estimated price worth : US$25,000

Bronze vessels were used during the Shang and Zhou periods in ancestral rituals. Ancestors, it was believed, could intercede on behalf of the living, provided they were honored and respected. The bronze vessels were kept in ancestral halls and used during a variety of feasts and banquets. Most bronze vessels were used for food or to heat or cool a millet-based wine. Others served as water basins or jugs. Wine vessels dominated during the Shang, but ritual changes in the middle of the Western Zhou period resulted in a shift toward food vessels.
These Shang and Zhou bronze vessels were the most highly esteemed objects of their time, usurping the position held by jade in the late Neolithic period. In addition to their functional and symbolic role in support of lineage rites, bronzes also exemplified the latest technical and artistic developments. Early bronze vessels, including the jue, gu, and ding (above), were based on Neolithic pottery prototypes. But as bronze technology improved, vessels took on shapes and decorative schemes that were unique to the medium.

Dayangzhou produced a large burial chamber filled with hundreds of ceramics, bronzes (both weapons and vessels), and jades. Some of the bronzes could be related to types found at Erligang, but others, such as the meat-cooking vessels and bronze bells, were unique to Dayangzhou. Dayangzhou was also distinctive for its use of human heads, ram heads, deer, and especially tigers in design.

Ancient China Bronze Casting Technology

Three ritual vessel shapes. The GU and JUE are wine vessels. Both are very ancient forms that were in use from the Neolithic-Erlitou period ( more than 2,000 BC ). The DING tripod was used for cooked food.

In the center, upside down, is the model for a wine vessel. The two sections of the mold, made of soft clay, are pressed against it to transfer the vessel's shape and decoration. The model is then trimmed away to form a core. The mold-pieces are reassembled around the core, leaving a space, which is filled with molten bronze.

Bronzes were made in ceramic piece-molds (right). The process began with a model, to which soft clay was applied. These clay pieces were removed in sections to form molds, which were reassembled around a core, whereupon molten bronze was poured into the space between the mold and the core. After cooling, the mold pieces were removed. Pre-cast sections of a bronze could be attachedan infinite number of variations could be created on the basis of a few standard shapes. Originally these bronzes were bright and shiny (their present dark patina is a result of burial and age).

Surface decoration could be made by carving into the mold (for raised relief) or into the model (for recessed designs). The narrow bands that characterized early bronze designs gave way to more expansive decorations, which by the late Shang period covered the whole vessel. A common Shang motif is the Taotie. ( Refer to another of my article about : What is " Taotie"?

Other zoomorphic designs consisted of various animal parts flowing into one another. By the end of the Western Zhou period, this imagery had begun to turn into purely abstract patterns, the meaning of which will probably never be known. They may have been symbolic of the spirits of the ancestors, protective devices, clan or lineage motifs, or perhaps they were associated with mythical beasts or supernatural entities.

Ancient Bronze Mirrors from Ancient China

This erotic Mirror is dated from Southern Song's dynasty ( 1127AD to 1279AD ) The rounded shape is about 21.1cm with 0.5 cm thickness. Market price is US$800 due to its erotic design uniqueness.

This Rounded Mirror is dated from Warring States period ( 476BC to 221BC) Size is : 31.3cm about 0.5cm thickness.

The market price is worth : US$1,200

This Squarish Mirror is dated from Warring States Period ( 476BC to 221BC ) Square Shape : 16.4cm. About 0.5cm thickness.

This is worth : US$1,200 in the market.

This Mirror is a flower shape from the Tang Dynasty ( 618AD to 907AD ). Size of Mirror : 21.1 cm. This is worth : US$800 in the market.


Note: Most of these mirrors are very heavy made from Solid Bronze in polished finishing.

How to start a Authentic Ancient Coins Collection?

If you are a new beginner and would like to start collecting authentic anceint coins, Here is my recommendation:
1) Buy a coin collection book which you can use as a cross reference.
2) Choose a country you like to collect.
3) Be more focus and targetted.
4) If you can't afford to pay more, then start from later century, then after some years of experience you may upgrade to the next level.
5) Do some reading on that country history you collected these coins.
6) Research on the history of the coin's minted.
7) Research on the background of the coin.

Serious collection studies:
8) Research on the design and pattern of coins
9) Research on those ancient inscriptions
10) Research on their custom and culture

Some try in error;
1) Buy some coins from the giftshops and make a comparison between these coins with your coin reference books.
2) Check on Shapes, design and molding.
3) You may email me for further forum discussion.

Is there a 100% sure authentic /genunine stuffs only when you buy from a Antique shops?
My answer: Not necessary. When I first started my first antique collection, I also bought my stuffs from these shops. It was only some years later after my in-depth study I found out that those products I bought in my early years of collection, not all pieces are genuine stuffs.
There are some of these antiques which was produced/ replica during the era of the Song's dynasty when the Song's emperors took interest in these ancient China Antiques collection.
It was then,there was a lot of those replica coins and antiques vessels of the original Shang , Zhou; Qin and Han artifacts were replicated.
Although it was and can be consider as antique but it was not of the original dating antiques on these replica made during the Song's era.

How can you tell between antiques made from the original era and Song's era?
The answer is simple : Still go back to the basic. Check on the Patina Ageing layers.
The Song's replicas of these antiques cannot acheived the Patina Ageing Coating layers.
And also the Song's era replica on these Artifacts were molded with improvement and better cutting on the design and writing. Hence, it tells the differences between the original era and Song's era products.

Many other fake and imitate bronze coins and artifacts

These are the fake and imitation coins and china artifacts in which it is easily found in Chinatown and giftshops .

Take a look at these coins you can easly detect that these are fake coins.

Even on these artifacts, you also can detect that these are fake artifacts.

Test it for yourself:

1) How to do see that these are fake coins and artifacts?

How to identify Genuine Coin?

Here is another set of coins which you can compare to my previous posting between Fake and Genunine coin.

The differences is clearly seen from the coin appearance color tone of the Patina.

The thickness of the Patina of the greenish color give the period dating that it got its greenish surface not overnight but though many decades.

The wording of " Wu-Zhu" also can be compare to see the differences in the way it was written in the mold.

The shape of the coin during the mold design was also not as neat as you seen from the fake molded coin.

Lastly, the use of the magnifying glass of 10X or more will tell you more story of its authenticity.

How to identify Fake Coin?

Here is a study on Fake Coin which produced to look alike genuine coin. Even the color of the "Patina" is fake color.

The answer can be easily trace through a 10 times or more magnifying glass/ scope test.

Where did it goes wrong?

1st flaw: The design of the coin ( Wu-Zhu) : The character writing was too vivid and neatly written without flaw and irregularities. It is not possible to acheived such neat standard in the period of the Han dynasty.

2nd flaw: The color of the Patina is not natural as compare to the genuine patina growth. The fake patina color is "dim and dead" color as compare to the genuine patina color which is sharp, clear and lively color tones.

3rd flaw : The coin molding is also too neat which is not possible in the Han period.

Does your Antique coin have PATINA Coating?

PATINA is form like a tree bark. The tree bark is not formed overnight. it also take decades.
From the inner layer called the : Cambuim cell layer to Inner Layer and finally to External layer which enable us to tell the ageing process of the tree and the age of the tree.
Therefore, if you want to know whether the antiques ; coins; artifacts are real genuine or fake, the first step is to identified the existence of Patina's presence in the product.


The British bronze coin dated in 1866 is consider relatively young coin. That is why there isn't any trace of Patina found on the coin's surface.

Below is the coin from one of the Qing Dynasty which was dated around 1644AD to late 1800. It is also consider pretty young coin. That is why there isn't any trace of Patina found on the coin's surface.

These coins are from ancient Israel dated around 25AD to 220AD . Thin layer of Patina can be found on these coins.

Here is another coin from the Zhou Dynasty dated between 11th BC to 770BC. It has a visible layer of Patina on the whole coin. The color tone of the Patina from light to dark greenish indicate the ageing process .

The Patina Color which is light green found on the bronze statute of the liberty was a man-made chemical process patina. These man-made Patina's coloe re-created look-a-like real patina.

However, to prove whether it is real or fake is to take a scatch on the patina and check on its layers. A man-made Patina only have a surface coating. A genuine Patina will have multiple layers Patina coated. It will proves its authenticity.

One of the first basic step to collect ancient coins is to understand some basic metal appearance that changes from time to time.

And the first thing to take note in order to determine whether the coin is genuine or fake is by tracing for the existence of : PATINA which are found on the surface of the coin-metal.

Patina (ˈpa tə nə) is a film on the surface of bronze or similar metals, produced by oxidation over a long period, sheen on wooden furniture produced by age, wear and polishing, or any such acquired change of a surface through age and exposure. On metal, patina is a coating of various chemical compounds such as oxides or carbonates formed on the surface during exposure to the elements (weathering). Patina also refers to accumulated changes in surface texture and colour that result from normal use of an object such as a coin or a piece of furniture over time.

Appearance of Patina: Different tones of greenish color. From light to dark green to deep ocean blue-green.

The green patina that forms naturally on copper and bronze is known as verdigris and consists of copper carbonate.
One example of a patina is a green surface texture created by slow chemical alteration of copper, producing a basic carbonate. It can form on pure copper objects as well as alloys which contain copper, such as bronze or brass.

PATINA give the authenticity value of these ancient coins and artifacts:

Apart from the aesthetic appearance and practical protection of patination, antique experts confirm that an object's value increases when its patination is intact because it is an important effect of the ageing process and this evidential history is reflected in the value of the piece.
In terms of antiques then,Patina is everything that happens to an object over the course of time. The nick in the leg of a table, a scratch on a table top, the loss of moisture in the paint, the crackling of a finish or a glaze in ceramics, the gentle wear patterns on the edge of a plate. All these things add up to create a softer look, subtle color changes, a character.

Can Patina be found in modern coin?

No, it take decade to create this natural substance which grow on the surface of bronze material.

Therefore, it is easy to differentiate between fake and genuine coins and artifacts by trace of Patina.

However, there be possible trace of Patina found on modern coin. Nevertheless, the Patina thickness and its color tones cannot be compare to those Patina which already grown on the ancient coins or artifacts can tell the ageing process of the product. A genuine Patina ageing process can be tell by its layers process found on Patina layers. A man-made patina will not have such ageing layers.

Chronology of China Dynasties

Dynasty Period
Xia Dynasty ------------------------------------------>21st - 16th century BC
Shang Dynasty---------------------------------------->16th - 11th century BC
Western Zhou Dynasty-------------------------------->11th century BC - 771 BC
Eastern Zhou Dynasty Spring and Autumn Period------> (770 BC - 476 BC)
Eastern Zhou Dynasty Warring States Period ---------->(476 BC - 221 BC)
Qin Dynasty ------------------------------------------->221 BC - 206 BC
Han Dynasty -Western Han --------------------------->(206 BC - 24 AD)
Han Dynasty-Eastern Han ----------------------------->(25 – 220 AD)
Three Kingdoms period -------------------------------->220 – 280 AD
Jin Dynasty-Western Jin--------------------------------> (265 – 316 AD)
Jin Dynasty-Eastern Jin --------------------------------->(317 - 420 AD)
Northern & Southern Dynasties
Northern Dynasties -------------------------------------->(386 – 581 AD)
Southern Dynasties -------------------------------------->(420 – 589 AD)
Sui Dynasty ---------------------------------------------->581 – 618 AD
Tang Dynasty -------------------------------------------->618 – 907 AD
Five Dynasties ---- Later Liang -------------------------->(907 – 923 AD)
Five Dynasties ---- Later Tang --------------------------->(923 – 936 AD)
Five Dynasties ---- Later Jin ------------------------------>(936 – 946 AD)
Five Dynasties ---- Later Han ----------------------------->(947 – 951 AD)
Five Dynasties ---- Later Zhou ---------------------------->(951 – 960 AD)
Ten States Ten States------------------------------------> (902 – 979 AD)
Song Dynasty -Northern Song ----------------------------->(960 – 1127 AD)
Song Dynasty -Southern Song ----------------------------->(1127 – 1279 AD)
Liao Dynasty ---------------------------------------------> 916 --- 1125 AD
Jin Dynasty ----------------------------------------------->1115 --- 1234 AD
Yuan Dynasty --------------------------------------------->1271 --- 1368 AD
Ming Dynasty --------------------------------------------->1368 --- 1644 AD
Qing Dynasty ---------------------------------------------->1644 --- 1911 AD
Modern China ---------------------------------------------->1912 AD----???


Why do you need to know China Chronology in China's Coin Collection?
It is important to know the basic background of China Chronology.
Knowing the Chronology will help you to trace back the dynasty and period ( dating ) in which the coin was mint.