A History of Chinese Currency

The History of Chinese Currency was begun in 1943. Its first draft ran to more than a hundred thousand words. After decades of revisions and additions by the author, the book had grown to nearly 770,000 words by the time it was published in 1965. It is a truly monumental work of numismatics, and a rare, groundbreaking achievement in the study of Chinese monetary history and numismatics.

Beginning with the cowrie shells used as currency in ancient times and ending with modern silver dollars and paper money, the book clearly and thoroughly traces the history of Chinese currency from the earliest days of exchange and trade. It also discusses in detail other aspects of ancient Chinese history, including politics, economics, and culture.

The author was deeply learned and drew on a wealth of sources, carefully consulting and studying relevant works from China and abroad, past and present. The book also includes images of actual coins, making it easier and more engaging to see how Chinese currency has changed and developed over the centuries.