Thousand-year-old coins intrigue visitors in Beijing (2)

Chinese used sea shells as currency in the Xia Dynasty and started using bronze to make coins during later periods. The moulds used to forge the early coins are on display as well.

Jiao Jinlin, Staff, Ancient Coins Exhibition Center, said, "This is a coin mould used during the Han Dynasty from over 2000 years a ago. These two parts are actually joined together during use. Liquid bronze is poured in and flows to fill each individual coin mould. Then they leave it to cool down and solidify."

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