#0001
c. 1024 CE
Song Dynasty
Song Dynasty Jiaozi Fragment
Partial surviving example of early government-issued currency
Est. 618 CE — Present Day
古幣
Ancient ChinaNotes
"Where Paper First Became Money"
Explore a thousand years of monetary innovation—from Tang Dynasty merchant certificates to the world's first government-issued paper currency.
6
Dynasties
1000+
Years of History
12
Specimens
Scroll
Exhibition Hall
Imperial Currency Through the Ages
Journey through six dynasties that shaped the history of paper money. Click any era to explore its artifacts.
Early Imperial
CAT.001
Mulberry bark paperExtremely Rare
Tang Dynasty
618-907 CE
Flying Cash (飛錢)
Merchants created paper certificates to avoid carrying heavy copper coins on Silk Road trade routes.
✦ First paper-based money exchange
Classical Period
CAT.002
Silk-fiber paperLegendary
Song Dynasty
960-1279 CE
Jiaozi (交子)
The world's first government-issued paper currency, born in Sichuan to replace heavy iron coins.
✦ World's first true paper money
Mongol Period
CAT.003
Mulberry bark paperVery Rare
Yuan Dynasty
1271-1368 CE
Zhongtong Chao (中統鈔)
Kublai Khan established a sophisticated paper money system that captivated Marco Polo.
✦ First currency seen by Europeans
Golden Age
CAT.004
Gray mulberry paperRare
Ming Dynasty
1368-1644 CE
Da Ming Baochao (大明寶鈔)
Massive banknotes made from mulberry bark, featuring the largest paper notes ever issued.
✦ Largest banknotes in history
Late Imperial
CAT.005
Cotton-fiber paperUncommon
Qing Dynasty
1644-1912 CE
Daqing Baochao (大清寶鈔)
Revival of paper currency with provincial banks and intricate designs from the final empire.
✦ Last imperial currency
Modern Period
CAT.006
Security paperCommon
Republic Era
1912-1949 CE
Fabi (法幣)
Modernized banking with notes from Central Bank, provincial issuers, and foreign institutions.
✦ Bridge to modern banking
ChronologyExplore Full Timeline
A Millennium ofMonetary Innovation
From 618 CE to the modern era, trace the remarkable evolution of Chinese paper currency through key moments that changed world finance.
618Tang Dynasty begins
812Flying Cash certificates introduced
1024First Jiaozi government notes
1260Yuan paper money system
and 14 more events...
618 — Tang Dynasty begins
812 — Flying Cash certificates introduced
1024 — First Jiaozi government notes
1260 — Yuan paper money system
1375 — Ming Baochao issued
1853 — Qing currency reforms
印
Featured Collection
Notable Specimens
Highlights from our curated gallery of ancient Chinese paper currency
#0002
c. 1287 CE
Yuan Dynasty
Yuan Dynasty 2-Guan Note
Complete specimen with imperial seal and denomination markings
#0003
1375 CE
Ming Dynasty
Ming Hongwu Baochao
One of the largest paper notes ever printed at 34cm x 22cm
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