Item number: A1272

Year: 361–248 BC

Material: Bronze

Size: 46.9 x 28.8 mm

Weight: 6.1 g

Provenance: Fuchin Coin 2024

This is a square foot spade coin minted by the State of Zhao during the Warring States period. The obverse features a central vertical line extending straight down from the top, dividing the surface into two distinct halves. The inscriptions on the left and right sides of the obverse have been the subject of varied interpretations, with readings such as “Qi Bei” (齊貝), “Qiu Bei” (丘貝), and “Yu Ji” (榆即) proposed. On the reverse, a central vertical line is also present, flanked symmetrically by diagonal lines on either side.

The precise origin and state affiliation of this square foot spade coin (fangzu bu) remain uncertain. However, some scholars suggest it may have been produced in modern-day Yuci (榆次), Shanxi Province. Historically, Yuci initially belonged to the State of Wei before later becoming part of the State of Zhao.

According to Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), specifically the House of Zhao chapter by Sima Qian, Yuci was attacked by the State of Qin in 248 BC. During this campaign, 37 cities in the region were reportedly captured.

Spade money, also referred to in historical texts as “鎛” or homophonously as “布,” were metal coins shaped like spades, an agricultural tool. As the first form of metallic currency in Chinese history, spade money often appears in the logos of financial departments and banking institutions in regions such as China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The development of spade money dates from the late Shang Dynasty to the Warring States period, with the Three Jins region (Han, Zhao, and Wei) serving as its core and giving rise to various forms.

物件編號: A1272

年代: 公元前 361–248 年

材質: 青銅

尺寸: 46.9 x 28.8 mm

重量: 6.1 g

來源: 福君錢幣 2024

這是一枚戰國時期由趙國鑄造的「齊貝」方足布。方足布的正面中央有一條從首部延伸向下，筆直區分開正面的左右兩側。左右兩側的銘文有諸多解釋，有「齊貝」、「丘貝」和「榆即」等不同的說法。背面的中央亦有一道豎線，左右兩側則各有一條對稱的斜線。

這枚方足布的確切製造地點和國家尚待確認，但有學者提出是今日山西榆次，榆次先是屬於魏國後來歸屬趙國。根據司馬遷《史記。趙世家》紀載，公元前248年榆次遭到秦國攻擊，該地區有37座城池遭到佔領。

布幣是仿造鏟形農具的金屬錢幣，史書上寫作「鎛」或同音字「布」。由於布幣是中國歷史上第一種金屬貨幣，經常能在中國、香港和臺灣等地的財政部門和銀行機構標誌裡發現布幣。布幣從商朝末期發展到戰國時代，以三晉地區(韓、趙、魏)為核心已延伸出多種形態。