Coins in China originated in Xia Dynasty and Shang Dynasty, with a long history of more than 4,000 years. It involves the politics, economy, history, geography, science and technology, writing and other fields in ancient China. It is rich in information and has high collection value. In particular, the characters on these coins not only witnessed the evolution history of Chinese characters, but also many of them were written by famous artists with high artistic standards and were treasured by future generations.
Money is the product of commodity exchange. The earliest physical currency in China appeared at the end of primitive society. The physical currency widely circulated in ancient times was "shell". Shells have been used as physical currency until the Spring and Autumn Period, which is the period from germination to maturity of Chinese characters. Therefore, most words related to wealth and value in China Chinese characters are based on shells, such as "expensive", "endowment", "rich", "purchase" and "poverty". China is the first country in the world to use coins. Three thousand years ago, many "copper-free shells" were unearthed in tombs in the late Yin and Shang Dynasties, which were the most primitive metal coins. There are no words on these early coins.
During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the heroes competed for hegemony, and the coin characters of various countries had their own characteristics, just like their unique coin shapes. The big seal on coins is the earliest ancient coin writing. For example, the sword coins of Qi were legalized in Anyang, the cloth coins of Sanjin were "Liang Zheng is still in full swing", and the gold edition of Chu was "Yingcheng".
After Qin annexed six countries, in order to strengthen centralization and unify writing, currency and weights and measures, coins were changed to "half two" coins. Its Qian Wen is a kind of small seal script, which is said to have been written by Li Si, the prime minister and calligrapher. Steady and dignified, creating a precedent for famous writers to write money. The Han dynasty changed it to "five baht" money. These two characters are Chinese seal characters, which are more regular and generous than Qin Xiaozhuan.
The Tang Dynasty is a dynasty with developed economy and culture, and it is also an era in which all the emperors and ordinary people love calligraphy. In the fourth year of Wude in Tang Gaozu (AD 62 1 year), the "Kaiyuan Bao Tong" money was minted and issued. The words on it were handwritten by Ou Yangxun, a great calligrapher. The official script meant to open a letter, which was correct and simple, with strict statutes and implicit peace. You know, Ou Yangxun's calligraphy is called "European style", and his "Jiuchenggong Liquan Ming" is still being studied by many students!
Coins in the Northern Song Dynasty were written from emperors to famous artists. The "Chunhua Yuanbao" in the early Northern Song Dynasty was written in three fonts: Kai, Xing and Cao, and it was also the earliest imperial coin (the coin written by the emperor). Yuan Feng Tong Bao, written by Su Dongpo, the head of the famous "Four Masters in the Northern Song Dynasty" in the history of calligraphy, is dignified and dignified, and is called "Dongpo Yuanfeng", which is still a treasure that coin collectors dream of!
Song Huizong and Evonne created the "thin gold body" in calligraphy. He personally wrote "Chong Ning Bao Tong", which is very chic and amazing! After the Song Dynasty, the form of coins became monotonous, and the level of calligraphy was not as good as before. In the collection of ancient Chinese coins, the coins in the periods of Wang Mang, Song Huizong and Jin Zhangzong are also called "three unique", which is very important because the coins in these three periods are beautifully written and well cast. We have already introduced the coins of the Song Huizong period, so let's look at the other two. The "Pinquan" cast in the period of Wang Mang (AD 8 and 23) is characterized by hanging needle seal script (a kind of seal script with needle-like lines), which is fine and rigid and contains bone strength. Jin Zhangzong period (A.D. 120 1-1208) cast "Taihe Chongbao" printed money, dignified and beautiful, round and beautiful, which is a model!
As far as the number of coins handed down to this day is concerned, ancient Chinese coins are the richest historical relics in China, and their rich historical and artistic information attracts future generations. Coin collection has always been a big part of the collection, with a wide range of fans. Starting from 198 1, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications began to issue a series of stamps of "ancient Chinese coins", making ancient Chinese coins a "national business card".
Because there are few characters on coins, calligraphy seal cutting is mainly based on the printing of coins in the pre-Qin period. Since the late Qing Dynasty, many seal cutting people such as Huang Tuling have been doing it. And this is still a very distant thing for young friends. However, by appreciating the calligraphy art on these exquisite ancient coins, we will still feel a different kind of beauty and learn a lot of historical knowledge. Wouldn't it be a pleasant thing if that classmate was lucky enough to collect a few ancient coins and play with them in his hand?