Coins of the World

By Sandra Forty

Coins allow us a glimpse into times that have left few other artifacts and serve as a record of important historical events. They tell the story of the world’s cultures in religious, social, and economic evolution over many thousands of years and in many parts of the world. China is thought to be the first country to mint and use copper coins, as early as the eleventh century BC. These coins, introduced by the Shang Dynasty to replace the traditional cowrie shell currency, were circular with a square center hole in order for the coin to be threaded onto a string for safe keeping. But the Shang Dynasty coin is the just the first of a multitude of coins that have been issued over the years in various shapes, created from many different mediums, and decorated by a wide range of animals and birds, national rulers, mythical gods and goddesses, and architectural structures. Coin collecting, or numismatology, is an entertaining and educational hobby for both sophisticated and armchair enthusiasts. This book offers a brief tour of past and current coins from cultures around the world that can be enjoyed by aspiring, newly minted, and tried-and-true numismatists!

• Language: English
• Publisher: TAJ Books International
• Release date: Mar 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781844062102

Sandra Forty

Sandra Forty is a graduate of London University where she studied medieval and early modern history, including a spell at the Courtauld Institute learning about Renaissance art from Professor Gombrich. Since then she has worked as a journalist in London, then as a book editor and writer. She is the author of a number of books, most on art and architecture. Sandra lives in south Devon with her husband, children and many cats.

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This edition published 2012

Published by

TAJ BOOKS INTERNATIONAL LLP

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Cobham

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Copyright © TAJ Books International LLP

The Publisher wishes to thank Don Norris of worldcoingallery.com for his assistance with many images in this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Publisher and copyright holders.

All notations of errors or omissions (author inquiries, permissions) concerning the content of this book should be addressed to [e-mail].

ISBN: 978-1-84406-199-0

ISBN: 978-1-84406-210-2(ebook)

Printed in China.

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Contents

History of coins

American Coinage

The Royal Mint

Odd Coins From Around the World

Ancient Coins

Valuable Coins

Index

HISTORY OF COINS

Historians and numismatists agree that the study of coins from antiquity up to modern day provides a fascinating insight into history. On coins we can see the faces of ancient kings and queens, heroes of myth, and the gods of civilizations long gone. Coins can give us a glimpse of times that have left few other artifacts and act as a record to important historical events. They tell the story of our religious, social, and economic evolution over many thousands of years and in many parts of the world.

Nevertheless, while collectors and archaeologists agree on the importance of this field of study, they are divided on the subject of which was the very first coin to be produced. Some authorities suggest that China was the first country to mint and use copper coins as early as the eleventh century BC. Introduced by the Shang Dynasty to replace the traditional cowrie shell currency, these copper coins were circular