Primitive earliest Chinese coinage - cowrie shell imitation made out of bone. This is the primitive type with two holes and wide "teeth". 21mm long, 1.39 grams. Hartill type #1.2; Jen #2; Schjoth #A-7; cf.Zeno 224038.

Cowries were used as primitive money in China since the 2nd millenium BC. Later on, bronze cowrie-shaped coins and cowrie-shaped coins made out of carved bone (like this piece) were used as money. This piece is of very nice high quality!

This coin is unconditionally guaranteed to be authentic.