Chinese Cowries - holed - Museum Gallery

November 2023

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These smoother shaped (more rounded) represent Cypraea annulus used as money in China. See the listing for a fresh C. moneta for additional information.
These examples are in typical condition. They are calcified and annual build layers are flaking off. Here starts the long Chinese tradition having a hole in their money to facilitate stringing and grouping of value. See this museum for other examples where the back is broken or filed out, thus providing a larger hole for easier stringing and more compact storage of value. One can imagine a progression of using the C. moneta & C. annulus shells as a medium of exchange then drilling holes for stringing, followed by filing out the backs for a more compact string. All hard money eventually under goes degridation and inflation as it becomes too scarce and valuable - thus cowry imitations. Greshams Law in action with ancient Chinese shell money!

Moneta Library has articles on Cowries to VIEW and DOWNLOAD:
The Worlds's First Money, Chinese Cowries and Their Imitations - by Ted Puls [ link ]
Cowries - Bob Reis: [ link ]
Origin of Cowries in Ancient China - UofPa: [ link ]
Metallic Cowries - Royal Asiatic Society: [ link ]
Nice Video on Cowrie history: [ link ]