The great influence of round square hole coins in the history of China

The circulation of coins of round square hole, Qin and semi-Liang in the whole country ended the chaotic state of different forms and different weights in ancient China, which was a major evolution from chaotic form to standardized form in the history of ancient China currency. Before Qin Banliang-Six Kingdoms, coins in different countries had different shapes, such as shovel coins, knife coins and ring coins. , and can only be circulated within their respective jurisdictions; After Qin Shihuang unified the six countries, he decided to unify the statutes, weights and measures, currency and writing, abolish the old coins of the six countries at the end of the Warring States period and improve them on the basis of Qin Banliang's currency in the Warring States period. Qin Banliang, a round square hole, swept the country, ending the chaotic state of different shapes and weights of money in ancient China.

From the beginning of Qin Huiwen's second year (336 BC) to the end of Qin Dynasty (206 BC), Qin Banliang's money production lasted for 130 years.

Qin Banliang's circulation range, west to Hexi Corridor; East to Shandong and Jiangsu, north to Inner Mongolia, south to Guangzhou, northeast to Liaodong Peninsula and southwest to the upper reaches of Dadu River, indicating that Qin Banliang is the national currency.

The appearance of "Qin Banliang" marks the unification of Qin Shihuang's currency and the initial maturity of ancient Chinese coins. It is a milestone in the development of China's currency and has influenced neighboring countries and regions, which is of extraordinary historical significance. "Qin Banliang" laid the shape of the "square hole" of ancient coins. "Square hole" currency became the basic currency form in ancient China, which ran through the feudal society of China and was used for more than two thousand years.

The "Qin Banliang" copper coin takes a "square hole" as the coin shape, the square hole represents the place, and the excircle represents the round sky. "Square hole" symbolizes the cosmology of ancient round sky and place (this is a generally accepted view. However, some people think that the circular square hole is the need of production and processing, which is convenient to carry, circulate and store, and has formed a more scientific system in continuous practice. The word "half Liang" on the copper coin is a small seal script, which was inscribed by the famous Qin Li Si. It means that each piece weighed half two (that is, twelve baht) at that time, so it was called "half two".

"Historical Records Research" quoted "Notes of Ancient and Modern Times": Qin Qian was half a Liang, with a diameter of two inches and a weight of twelve baht. Today, we see that the size of Qin Banliang's money is not-the diameter of the money is -3.2-3.4 cm and it weighs about 8 grams. Qian Wen is long and narrow, slightly curved. No inner and outer Guo, flat back. Some of them weigh more than10g, or even more than 20g, that is to say, the money in Suoyin is 100 yuan.

In addition:

"Qin Banliang" has special effects on treating traumatic injuries. It turns out that Qin Shihuang's "half silver" contains some special substances, which can promote the healing of human bones. However, only the copper mine used by Qin Shihuang to cast "half a penny" contains this special substance. This mine was completely mined by Qin Shihuang, so the copper coins cast in the past dynasties did not contain this special substance, so there was no such special effect.