3,500 kg ancient coins discovered in China

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by Conny Böhler

January 24, 2013 – According to Chinese reports, archaeologists excavated about 3,500 kg of ancient coins in Inner Mongolia, which is located in Northern China. Lian Jilin researcher of the regional Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology reports that the coins were found in the ancient town of Huoluochaident near Ordos City.

Most of the coins are reportedly “Huoquan” coins used during the Han Dynasty (202 BC-AD 220). Based on its size and the cultural relics excavated there, Huoluochaideng is believed to have been a major town in Northern China during the Han period.

Archaeologists also found over 100 casting moulds in the relics of a coin manufacture. These moulds are supposed to date back even to the rule of Emperor Wudi (156 BC-87 BC) of the Western Han Dynasty and the short-lived Xin Dynasty (45 BC-AD 23), founded by Wang Mang.

Since the method of coin casting applied there and the storage found in the relics of the ancient town of Huoluochaideng is very rare in China, the finding is particularly significant for the study of the ancient Chinese monetary system and casting technology, researcher Lian added.

For further info please see these two articles here and here.