What Do Chinese Coins Look Like?

This is a more modern bronze fang kong qián, with four distinctive characters on the coin's face.

The exact appearance of Chinese coins depends on the denomination of the coin. These coins, called fang kong qián, or square holed money, were used in China from the 2nd Century B.C. until the 1900s.

Casting Material

The material the coin is made from varies by both age and value. Coins were most commonly cast in bronze, but copper, lead, iron, silver and gold have also been used. Coins were also made of non metal materials including cowry shells, clay, bone, jade, and bamboo.

Center Hole

Chinese coins have a square hole in the center. This hole was used to string coins together because coins had a relatively low value and were worth more in groups. They were commonly strung in groups of 1,000 and subdivided into hundreds.

Character Location

Older coins typically have two Chinese characters around opposing sides of the coin's hole. Late edition coins have four characters around the center hole. The coins may have characters in the reverse side, or may be blank.

Character Meaning

The characters vary by dynasty but typically represent the value of the coin, the emperor's reign, and where the coin was made.

Minted Pictures

If a coin appears to have pictures of animals or people on it, or contains more than four characters, it is a coin shaped charm and not a true piece of currency.

References

• Chinese Coins: Coins Made of Other Material Than Bronze
• Chinese Coins for Beginners