These are part of a larger collection... however I know little about Chinese coins. I am assuming by the way that they have been kept that they are common? They are very interesting for sure. Here is a bowl from the collection as well.
Ilmcoins, I know nothing about these, and they're Great! ...Am I making it up, or were shells a form of exchange both in parts of Africa and the Americas?
Unfortunately I don't see any markings on the bowl, but it looks like crackled celadon, which could be as early as the Song dynasty?
The bowl looks like it is from the 12-13th century Song Dynasty. Something called Qingbai Ware. I have doubts about the cowrie shells. Those shells seem way too smooth to be from 2,000 years ago (assuming there were buried back then). Furthermore, I think by 9-23 AD (as indicated on the label), the Chinese should be using bronze coins instead of shells.
You're killing us here. Any idea of the value for a common bowl? AFAI DON't KNOW, these things can go for $50 on up. A better made and similar piece is $300 on Ebay. Probably lots of imitations around but the OP's is probably OK since it was in a collection.
I am unfamiliar with its value as well. However, Qingbai seems to be a fairly common porcelain type in the Song dynasty.
I keep hoping someone will come along that can add some insight on the coins instead of the bowl! Lol
Okay, I'm not an expert in Chinese coins (we do have a couple of them here, but I guess they're asleep right now) but I'll contribute what little I know. #1. Cowries were indeed used as currency in ancient China (among many other places), as early as the second millennium BC, but these don't look that old. I'm pretty sure they are just modern cowrie shells. I have no idea why the label attributes them to the Wang Mang era- cowries were replaced by metal coinage long before then. #2. Ban Liang (Half Liang) coins were made, in many varieties, from about 350 to 118 BC. I can't tell the exact variety of yours, but common types are only worth a couple of dollars. #3. Wu Zhu (Five Zhu) coins were first made in 118 BC and continued, in many varieties, intermittently for nearly 700 years. Common varieties are worth a couple of dollars. #4 and #5. Wang Mang (9-23 AD) was an interesting ruler. He instituted sweeping social reforms and ordered several currency changes, in his attempt to create a perfectly harmonious society. Spoiler: It didn't end well for him, or for a lot of other people. #4 is a Huo Quan (Wealth Coin), issued starting 14 AD. #5 is a Da Quan Wu Shi (Large Coin Fifty), issued 7-14 AD (Wang Mang was regent for a child emperor from 7 AD, before overthrowing him in 9 AD). Many varieties exist, common varieties are worth a couple of bucks... I think you see a pattern here. Here's a photo of some coins of Wang Mang from my collection, which includes both these types plus others: I don't see anything very valuable in your group, but still a very interesting and historic little collection. As for the bowl... I would keep it on my kitchen table to hold fresh fruits. But I don't collect bowls, so my valuation may be off.
China ANCIENT Cowrie Currency - Shang Dynasty 1750-1150 BCE BONE 2 holes 20mm Hartill 1-2v Coole 51-66 I understand Cowrie Currencies were made from shell, bone, clay, stone, and other materials of representative value. Use of Cowrie Currencies were early in Chinese History. I even have a Bronze version: China Zhou -Chou- Dynasty 1000-200 BCE Bronze cowrie Tong Bei - VF - Rare
I wonder if these 2 are jade cowries. I purchased similar examples years ago, and they were labeled as jade, not bone. Just curious.
Thank you. In my opinion, they are bone. I have handled a lot of Green, Red, and White Jade during my trips to China and SE Asia. Definitely the texture, weight, "specific gravity" feeling of bone vs. Jade.
