Images

During the Warring States period, some States issued round coins with a round or squared hole in the middle. The inscription usually indicates the weight or value. 6. Coin with weight in jin, Wei State. 7. Coin with value in huo, Qi State...

When Qin Shihuang (the First Emperor) unified the Warring States in 221 BCE, he standardized the coinage. He made the banliang (half-ounce) coin of the Qin State standard throughout the Empire, and declared all other coins obsolete. The round...

Knife money of the Warring States period retained some features of the real tools, including the ring and the strengethening ridges on the handle. The States in the north and north-east issued knife money. 1. Zhao State, circa 500 BCE...

In the Late Roman Period, precious metal that had been paid in tax was melted down into bars before being re-minted, to eliminate plated forgeries. Because local mint officials could be corrupt, the bars were stamped with the names of the...

This silver tetradrachm coin belonged to Seleucos I. It depicts a striding elephant. Reign of Seleucos I Nicator, 305-281 BCE. Minted in modern-day Iran. Donated by Richard Payne Knight. (The British Museum, London).

This is a silver tetradrachm coin. Reign of Seleucos I Nicator, 305-281 BCE. From Seleucid Syria. Donated by the Bank of England. (The British Museum, London).

This tablet records the exact coins required for transaction in Babylon. Because coins could circulate for many years, freshly minted coins were less worn and had a better silver weight. The tablet specifies the "staters of Seleucus with...

A gold crown of the Silla kingdom of Korea (1st century BCE to 7th century CE). National Treasure No. 191 from the north mound of the Great Tomb at Hwangnam, Geumseong (Gyeongju). 5th century CE. The crown is made of sheet-gold and decorated...

A map of the Korean states in 108 BCE.

An early 19th century CE portrait of Dangun Wanggeom (Tangun). According to Korean mythology, as recounted in the 13th century CE Samguk yusa ('Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms'), the state of Gojoseon (Old Choson) was founded in 2333 BCE...