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ZHOU: Anonymous, 1000-700 BC, silvered AE cowrie (6.09g), EF

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Chinese Coins - Ancient Start Price:55.00 USD Estimated At:75.00 - 100.00 USD
ZHOU: Anonymous, 1000-700 BC, silvered AE cowrie (6.09g), EF
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ZHOU: Anonymous, 1000-700 BC, silvered AE cowrie (6.09g), H-1, silvered bronze imitation cowrie shell money, usual encrustation, EF, ex Dr. Dirk Löer Collection. Cowrie shells, in Chinese called bèi, were used as money probably since around 2000 BC, from the Shang dynasty up through the Zhou dynasty. The cowries were an intelligent solution to make "small money" because they were collected in seas far south of China and only kings could afford to import them. Furthermore natural shells were impossible to counterfeit. Later imitations were made of various materials: bone, stone, jade, clay, bronze, and even silver and bronze with gold plating.