The Source of Chinese Coin - A Collection of Essays on Chinese Numismatics and Monetary History (《泉流問源 - 中國錢幣學與貨幣史論集》) by Mr. Zhou Xiang ( 周祥 ) was published and distributed by the Cultural Relics Press in September 2022. This is a compilation collection of papers as a gift from Zhou to himself in his 60th year of life.
The articles collected in the book make studies on the ancient Chinese currencies, vintage coins, paper money, and Silk Road currencies. There are also some monumental articles involved. In the part of the ancient coins, the author presented his views and opinions on the birth of Chinese currency in the pre-Qin dynasty, such as round-foot spade coins, pointed-head knife coins and the ming knife coins of the State of Qi. He introduces the casting and identification of the round dragon coins, square horse coins, and oval turtle coins of the Western Han dynasty,wu zhu [ 五 銖 ] coins cast by different political zone, wu zhu coins with red edge, and wu zhu coins cast under the supervision of officials as well. The development of the power of minting in the Han dynasty is illustrated. As for modern vintage coins, it corrected and answered some difficult questions in Chinese modern vintage coins, such as the minting date of the Hupeh silver dollar, the existence of dollars minted in Shandong in Guangxu’s reign, and the problems related to the Heilongjiang silver dollar. Since the study of the paper money is the focus of Zhou's academic research, this book contains 15 related articles. Among them, there are two major topics, namely, the Taiwan banknotes issued by the Bank of Taiwan and the banknotes issued by the Industrial Bank of China after the victory of the Sino-Japanese War. The author also devoted several articles to introduce the plates, printing and issuance, and collection and handling of the Taiwan banknotes in the 35th year of the Republic of China. The book makes a comprehensive analysis and examination of thebanknote series, printing, denomination, circulating notes, and issuance of the Industrial Bank of China. The writer clarifies the chaotic clues and provides a clear lineage. In terms of the study of Silk Road coins, the author identifies the year of the casting of the Turkestan Khanate coins from their types, and analyzes the Chagatai Khanate coins through their inscriptions, emblems, and culture, which is an important means and direction for the study of coins. The last part of the book contains monumental essays written for Wang Qingzheng ( 汪慶正 ), Kalgin Shih ( 施 嘉 幹 ), Loo Pak-tsau ( 羅伯昭 ), Wu Chouzhong ( 吳籌中 ), Wang Yinjia ( 王蔭嘉 ), and others, recalling the persistent pursuit and exploration of our precedents and carrying forward their spirit of perseverance and bravery to inspire us to move forward on the path of numismatic research.
The articles collected in the book make studies on the ancient Chinese currencies, vintage coins, paper money, and Silk Road currencies. There are also some monumental articles involved. In the part of the ancient coins, the author presented his views and opinions on the birth of Chinese currency in the pre-Qin dynasty, such as round-foot spade coins, pointed-head knife coins and the ming knife coins of the State of Qi. He introduces the casting and identification of the round dragon coins, square horse coins, and oval turtle coins of the Western Han dynasty,wu zhu [ 五 銖 ] coins cast by different political zone, wu zhu coins with red edge, and wu zhu coins cast under the supervision of officials as well. The development of the power of minting in the Han dynasty is illustrated. As for modern vintage coins, it corrected and answered some difficult questions in Chinese modern vintage coins, such as the minting date of the Hupeh silver dollar, the existence of dollars minted in Shandong in Guangxu’s reign, and the problems related to the Heilongjiang silver dollar. Since the study of the paper money is the focus of Zhou's academic research, this book contains 15 related articles. Among them, there are two major topics, namely, the Taiwan banknotes issued by the Bank of Taiwan and the banknotes issued by the Industrial Bank of China after the victory of the Sino-Japanese War. The author also devoted several articles to introduce the plates, printing and issuance, and collection and handling of the Taiwan banknotes in the 35th year of the Republic of China. The book makes a comprehensive analysis and examination of thebanknote series, printing, denomination, circulating notes, and issuance of the Industrial Bank of China. The writer clarifies the chaotic clues and provides a clear lineage. In terms of the study of Silk Road coins, the author identifies the year of the casting of the Turkestan Khanate coins from their types, and analyzes the Chagatai Khanate coins through their inscriptions, emblems, and culture, which is an important means and direction for the study of coins. The last part of the book contains monumental essays written for Wang Qingzheng ( 汪慶正 ), Kalgin Shih ( 施 嘉 幹 ), Loo Pak-tsau ( 羅伯昭 ), Wu Chouzhong ( 吳籌中 ), Wang Yinjia ( 王蔭嘉 ), and others, recalling the persistent pursuit and exploration of our precedents and carrying forward their spirit of perseverance and bravery to inspire us to move forward on the path of numismatic research.
After reading the book, it occurred to me Zhu Xi's ( 朱 熹 ) poem Thoughts from Reading (《觀書有感》) of the Southern Song dynasty. That is, how could the canal be so clear and cool? Because fresh water comes from the source. Knowledge is like the source of water, which needs to be constantly accumulated, updated, and developed. It is even more important to keep learning new knowledge, applying the experience and theories of our predecessors, and exploring the unknown world to keep ourselves advanced and dynamic forever in life. With his own efforts and pursuits, Zhou Xiang has pioneered and plowed in the cause of numismatic research and finally has found that murmuring spring. I hope he reaps even greater achievements in the years to come.
The Source of Chinese Coin - A Collection of Essays on Chinese Numismatics and Monetary History by Zhou Xiang, Cultural Relics Press, first edition, September 2022. Size: 710 mm X 1000 mm. ISBN: 978-7-5010-7761-8. Price: RMB 180.