Skip to content
Pitt Rivers Museum
AboutHire the MuseumNewsletterUniversity of Oxford

1896.29.44

Knife money made of copper alloy in the shape of a conventionalised knife. [MJD 03/12/2009]

On display

1896.29.44

Digital asset copyright: Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

Terms and Conditions

If you wish to order a high-resolution image and/or licence its use for print or web publication, exhibition, film, promotional product or any other use, whether in the academic or commercial sector of any print run, then please visit photographic services.

Collection type
Object
Description
Knife money made of copper alloy in the shape of a conventionalised knife. [MJD 03/12/2009]
Long description
Knife money made of copper alloy in the shape of a conventionalised knife. The coin has a hole at one end. The coin is inscribed with characters. [MJD 03/12/2009]
Geographical reference
China
Asia > Eastern Asia > China
Person
Field collector Henry Balfour
PRM source Henry Balfour
Date / Period
Date made: Circa 9-23
Date collected
By 1896
Acquisition information
Donated: 1896
Materials and processes
Material Copper Alloy Metal, Process Forged (Metal), Process Inscribed
Dimensions
Width: max 18 mm, Length: max 137 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1896.29.44
Research and responses

This object was examined by Dr Lukas Nickel as part of the Fell funded project Characterizing the World Archaeology Collections. He noted that in four currency reforms during his brief reign period, Wang Mang issued dozens of coins with nominations different from their material value. In his time, the separation of values did not find the trust of the public. The hasty reforms led to economic chaos and social unrest which finally resulted in his downfall. [AS 26/08/2010]

Search terms: Currency, Writing, Coin, Knife, Inscription

Further items to explore