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Money Chinese history
Chinese used shells as money, qian, 5,000 years ago.With the developments of metallurgy, metallic currency started to circulate.These copper coins originated from Chinese people’s daily life and production.
Spade-shaped coins came from farming tools and knife-shaped coins came from fishing gear and knives.The Tong Bao coin symbolizing the titles of emperor’s reigns were circulated for the longest time in the history of China.
Gold, silver, food and textiles were once used as qian in China.The earliest paper money, named jiaozi, came out in China more than 1,000 years ago.Now the banknotes circulating in China is the 5th edition of renminbi. The appearance and printing techniques have been improved over the years.


