Coin in the shape of a bell

During the two periods of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770–256 B.C.), the Spring and Autumn Period (771–476 B.C.) and (in particular) the Warring States Period (475–221 B.C.), bronze money appeared in many forms, mostly miniature replicas of everyday objects such as shovels, knives, bells and other musical instruments, keys, clothes, and other types of weapons and tools. Each state of the fragmented Zhou dynasty territory minted its own money, which is why these coins are often referred to as “state coins” or guobu 國布 in Chinese numismatics. The most common types of coins, and the longest in circulation, were shovel-shaped coins (bubi 布幣 or buqian 布錢) and knife-shaped coins (daobi 刀幣 or daoqian 刀錢).

Money in the form of bells, as seen in the photo, was rarer. This specimen is well preserved and most probably dates from the Warring States Period, but due to the lack of records and markings, it is difficult to identify it as money that circulated in a particular country. Finally, it is not entirely clear whether it was a coin used as currency or a talisman. Since bells played an important role in Zhou Dynasty ritual as musical instruments, it is quite possible that the object also has religious or ritual significance. (MG)