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Warring States Period
Cheng Bai Knife Money
State of Zhongshan
戰國
成白刀幣
中山國造
Item number: A1245
Year: 308-296 BC
Material: Bronze
Size: 144.1 x 15.9 x 1.2 mm
Weight: 11.85 g
Provenance: Da Chen Stamps and Coins Collection 2016
This coin, based on its shape, is likely a “Cheng Bai” Knife Money that circulated in the Zhongshan State during the Warring States period. Knife money was a type of currency used during this period, primarily in the northern and eastern vassal states, including Yan, Qi, Zhao, and Zhongshan.
This knife coin is covered with indigo and green patina. It has a straight shape with minimal curvature, featuring a rounded blade edge and a circular hole at the end for stringing multiple coins together. The central section would typically display an inscription indicating the mint location; however, due to the coin’s age, the inscription has been worn away or obscured by copper corrosion. Consequently, the identification of this piece as a “Cheng Bai” knife coin—widely circulated in the Zhongshan State—relies on comparisons with archaeological data and its general form.
The Zhongshan State shared a southern border with Zhao, and the two states maintained close cultural and economic ties. As a result, the knife coins from Zhongshan bear a strong resemblance to those from Zhao in design and structure.
The Zhongshan State was a kingdom established by the nomadic Xianyu people in the Taihang Mountains region of modern-day Hebei Province during the Warring States period. Its territory was situated between the states of Yan and Zhao. According to historical records, the founding of Zhongshan dates to 507 BC.
Zhongshan reached its zenith in 323 BC during the “Proclaiming Kings” alliance (五國相王) between the states of Wei, Han, Zhao, Yan, and Zhongshan, when these states collectively challenged the authority of the Zhou king by recognising each other as kings. However, the state’s dominance ended in 296 BC when it was conquered by King Wuling of Zhao, marking the collapse of Zhongshan after more than 200 years of existence.