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Chinese Tally Stick Money. Mid 1700s.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques Start Price:200.00 USD Estimated At:400.00 - 500.00 USD
Chinese Tally Stick Money. Mid 1700s.
Chinese Tally Stick Money. Mid 1700's. Group of four different, bamboo, highly polished, bearing Chinese inscriptions. Three of the four also with human figures. Varying from 3" to about 4 -1/4 " long. Usage originated as gambling chips made of ivory in 4th to 5th centuries, A.D., but were later accepted as money during periods of coin shortages. Used in China for many centuries, their use spread to mediæval England. Very fine condition, the sticks retaining most of the original ink inscriptions.