{"product_id":"rare-huge-ban-liang-qin-shi-huangdi-221-210-bc-first-emperor-of-china-g-f-12-5","title":"Rare huge (31mm) ban-liang, Qin Shi Huangdi (221-210 BC), first Emperor of China (G\/F#12.5)","description":"\u003cp\u003eTwo Chinese characters \u003cem\u003eBan Liang\u003c\/em\u003e (\"Half an ounce\"), no rims or other marks \/ Blank, no rims. 31mm, 6.79 grams. Gratzer\/Fishman \"The Early Round Coins of China\" #12.5; Hartill #7.7. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStandardized issue of Huangdi. These large heavy coins are popular and rare.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Chinese ounce (liang) weighs about 16 grams. The earliest \"Ban Liangs\" weighed around 5 to 20 grams, with the weight fluctuating over this wide range. Emperor Shi Huangdi introduced monetary reforms - The \"History of Han\" says:\u003cem\u003e When Qin united the world, it made ...[the currency] of bronze, which was similar to the coins of Zhou but bore an inscription Ban Liang (\"Half Ounce\") and was equal in weight to its inscription.\u003c\/em\u003e These Qin dynasty coins are large, impressive, rare and very popular. The standardized Ban Liangs were probably cast to an initial standard of 300 shu (~6.9 grams) or to some reduced half-liang standard. Their weights are quite self-consistent, ranging from 6,0 to 6,9 grams. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQin Shi Huangdi (259 BC - 210 BC) was king of the Chinese State of Qin from 246 BC to 221 BC during the Warring States Period. He became the first emperor of a unified China in 221 BC. He ruled until his death in 210 BC at the age of 50. Qin Shi Huang is a pivotal figure in Chinese history. After unifying China, he and his chief advisor Li Si passed a series of major economic and political reforms. He undertook gigantic projects, including the first version of the Great Wall of China, the now famous city-sized mausoleum guarded by a life-sized Terracotta Army, and a massive national road system, all at the expense of numerous lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis coin is unconditionally guaranteed to be authentic.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"NumisMall.com","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67592344895803,"sku":"x7888-62105","price":131.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0447\/1750\/6710\/files\/w62105.jpg?v=1790538657","url":"https:\/\/www.numismall.com\/products\/rare-huge-ban-liang-qin-shi-huangdi-221-210-bc-first-emperor-of-china-g-f-12-5","provider":"NumisMall","version":"1.0","type":"link"}