Ancient silver is also very valuable, and ordinary people don't need silver. This misunderstanding is very serious. Silver is only an auxiliary currency. The government has not determined the specific value of silver. Silver is mainly stable in price (relative to gold) and easy to store and carry (relative to copper coins), so it will be used as an auxiliary currency. In the Song Dynasty, because the people were rich, the amount of copper used for coinage was too large, so it was changed to iron money. In the history of China, the people were the richest in the Southern Song Dynasty. Now, in the Ming Dynasty, we can see the economic prosperity of the Song Dynasty.
One or two pieces of silver in the Ming Dynasty is equivalent to the current RMB 300 yuan. "Water Margin" 14: "Wu Yong took out one or two pieces of silver and gave it to Ruan, so he asked his master to sell an altar of wine and borrowed a big altar to fill it; I bought 20 Jin of raw and cooked beef and a pair of big chickens. Ruan Xiaoer said, "I'll pay you back for the drinks." I'll pay you back together, that is to say, it's all paid for by this silver or two. It can be seen how many things one or two pieces of silver could buy at that time. The shopkeeper said, "The best, the best." "The meat of ancient animals is not as valuable as it is now. It is reasonable for Wu Yongqing's friends to spend a meal in 300 yuan.
However, the silver reserve in Song Dynasty was less and more expensive than that in Ming Dynasty. At that time, it was estimated that one or two pieces of silver was equivalent to 800 yuan now, which was definitely not as good as the average family's rations for half a year.
Secondly, gold and silver are generally used for bulk transactions, but even so, it is very inconvenient to carry and transport gold and silver. Moreover, the ancient traffic was underdeveloped, and bandits and thieves might be encountered in long-distance transportation, so it was necessary to hire a group of guards. But many small businesses are rich, so it would be embarrassing if you have enough money to hire an escort. At this time, Jiaozi appeared. Banks joined hands to guarantee credit and introduced cross payment, so that pure digital transactions can be carried out between several banks and the transportation of gold and silver can be avoided. The danger is greatly reduced.
So jiaozi first appeared in Sichuan, where it was difficult to go to heaven. Ordinary people don't need to pay. If they have less deposits, they will change them into gold and silver and put them at home, because banks at that time charged fees.
I hope it helps you. Welcome questions.