Three Character Knife Money, China, 5th-1st century BCE

Description (Brief):

One (1) Three Character knife money

Description (Brief)

China, 5th-1st century BCE

Many communities have designed money in the shape of objects that are important to them, such as tools and weapons. They usually do not make them sharp, though. They were only supposed to be used to make payments.

This piece of money shaped like a knife was used in China for a wide range of purchases. It is more than 2,000 years old, making it one of the first coins in world history.

Date Made: 5th - 1st century BCE

Place Made: China

See more items in: Work and Industry: National Numismatic Collection, East Asian Coins

Exhibition: Really BIG Money

Exhibition Location: National Museum of American History

Credit Line: Howard F. Bowker Family

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 2017.0116.042Accession Number: 2017.0116Catalog Number: 2017.0116.042

Object Name: knife money

Physical Description: bronze (overall material)Measurements: overall: 180 mm x 40 mm x 4 mm; 7 3/32 in x 1 9/16 in x 5/32 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746b3-60d0-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1847832

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