Chinese Bronze Shell Coin Currency. The specialized merchants and state run market emerged in the Westen Zhou Dynasty. Shells were used as medium for exchange of goods in the frequent commercial activities, and became the earliest coins and calculating unit in the transactions in Chinese history. Shell coins unearthed from tombs were mainly deep sea shells, as well as bronze and jade imitations of the period. At the end of the Shang Dynasty, northerners in China found it was hard to find enough shells from the south, so they used other materials like pottery, stone, bone, jade, bronze and gold to make shell-shaped money. The bronze shell shaped coins heralded the mintage of Chinese coin. Estimated more than 200 yrs old. (Pangaea Auctions) Size: See Ruler Photo. (Photos Represent The Condition Of The Lot.)

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