New Research On Monetary System Of Qin And Han Dynasties

The unification of Monetary System of Qin dynasty didn't help advance economic development at that time. There were many reasons for this. For one thing, before Qin's unity , that was, in the late of Warring State, there were great differences in economic structure between Qin and the Six States. For another, the new Monetary System interruptted its original one's operation. All kinds of original currencies turned into copper junk and scrap iron and they retreated the circulation. In addition, the measures like the system of granting land, migration of wealthy and powerful population and resortion to forces in South China caused the departure between subjects and resources of materials. Therefore, its former business activities couldn't continue any more. Han's Monetary System inherited Qin's. Gold was Shang Coin, copper was Xia Coin. But Monetary System especially the mintage varied frenquently in the early period of Western Han Dynasty. In Empress Lv's time the mintage was monopolized. There were specialised monetary legislations and many contents concerned with Monetary System in the Second Year's Laws and Decrees, which showed in Empress Lv's time not only Ba Zhu Coin was circulated, the mintage was monopolized but also showed money composition, circulation and its useage, etc. Si Zhu Coin circulated in Emperor Han Wen's time. Emperor Han Wen also abolished the laws of Empress Lv's time. In Emperor Han Wu's time, he carried on a lot of monetary reforms and finally established a Monetary System centred on Wu Zhu Coin of the three mechanisms of government, which was remained in future generations.