秦半兩(Banliang coin of the Qin dynasty)

放大圖片

秦代（Qin dynasty ，221 BC– 207 BC）

河南博物院藏（Henan Museum collection）

　銅質，鑄製，外圓方穿(孔)，無廓。一面鑄陽文大篆「半兩」(右讀)，另一面平素。秦「半兩」是我國最早的統一貨幣，是我國古代貨幣從多元化走向統一的歷史見證。秦「半兩」並且成為中國貨幣的基礎，這種幣形一直沿用了兩千多年，是中國貨幣發展過程中的一個里程碑。

　This cast coin is made of bronze. It is a round coin with a square hole at the centre and without a frame. Two relief characters 「半兩」 (banliang) in large seal script were cast on one side, reading from right to left. The other side is plain. The banliang coin of the Qin dynasty is the earliest unified currency of the whole of China. The form of this coin became the stereotype of later Chinese coins and prevailed over two thousand years. The issuance of the banliang coin of the Qin dynasty was a milestone in the history of Chinese currency.