Two large Chinese characters Ban Liang ("Half an ounce") / Blank, no rims. 23-24mm, 1.5-2.5 grams each.

Unsorted coins. Interesting study group, lots of different varieties. A few have small casting holes, but mostly decent quality collectible coins. The picture is of the typical coins in this group. $5 per coin.

Ban Liang coins were the first unified currency of imperial China, introduced during the Qin Dynasty around 221 BCE under Emperor Qin Shi Huang, and continued into the early Han Dynasty. Cast in bronze, these round coins with a central square hole were inscribed with the characters "ban liang", meaning “half liang,” referring to their standardized weight or (nominally) 8 grams. They symbolized the centralized economic control established after the unification of China and replaced the diverse local coinage systems of the Warring States period. Ban Liangs were relatively large and heavy in early issues, but gradually became smaller and lighter over time. Their simple, functional design - with the iconic round shape and square hole - set a precedent for Chinese coinage for centuries, reflecting both practical usage and cosmological symbolism (heaven and earth). These coins are important artifacts of China’s early imperial economy and remain popular among collectors and historians today.

This coin is unconditionally guaranteed to be authentic.