宋(song)(song)元通(tong)(tong)寶是宋(song)(song)代的第一種(zhong)鑄(zhu)(zhu)錢(qian)(qian),鑄(zhu)(zhu)于(yu)宋(song)(song)太祖建隆(long)元年(nian)960年(nian),錢(qian)(qian)式沿襲“周元通(tong)(tong)寶”成(cheng)規,為小平錢(qian)(qian)。錢(qian)(qian)文對讀,是國號加寶文的國號錢(qian)(qian)。后宋(song)(song)太祖傳位(wei)(wei)于(yu)弟宋(song)(song)太宗(zong)趙光義(yi)即位(wei)(wei),于(yu)太平興國年(nian)間(976年(nian)—983年(nian))年(nian)鑄(zhu)(zhu)“太平通(tong)(tong)寶”錢(qian)(qian),錢(qian)(qian)式同“宋(song)(song)元通(tong)(tong)寶”。
當時四(si)川及福(fu)建(jian)出鐵(tie)(tie)錢(qian)。福(fu)建(jian)所出鐵(tie)(tie)錢(qian),背(bei)郭清晰,鑄工(gong)(gong)頗精,大受(shou)歡迎,于是又(you)推出一(yi)種直徑4.2厘(li)米的當十大錢(qian),書(shu)法鑄工(gong)(gong)均(jun)不(bu)錯,背(bei)穿上有(you)一(yi)個(ge)圓點,可能是一(yi)種紀(ji)念錢(qian),現存世不(bu)多。這兩(liang)種“太平(ping)通寶(bao)”都為五代風(feng)格,而(er)鑄工(gong)(gong)精整(zheng),深(shen)厚淳樸可比開元(yuan)錢(qian)。
宋(song)(song)元(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)通(tong)寶為宋(song)(song)開國錢(qian)。錢(qian)文仿八分書,形(xing)制仿唐(tang)開元(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)。有(you)銅、鐵兩種,鐵錢(qian)十當銅錢(qian)一。宋(song)(song)元(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)通(tong)寶版(ban)別較多(duo),除背有(you)星、直、日、月、上菱紋外(wai),常見(jian)的主要有(you):大字、長通(tong)、狹(xia)通(tong)、小(xiao)字闊緣(yuan)等。較為少見(jian)的有(you):大字右挑元(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)、接郭(guo)、開元(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)版(ban)低頭(tou)通(tong)、鐵母狹(xia)宋(song)(song)、闊宋(song)(song)昂(ang)寶、折二樣等。
外圓內方,錢文仿(fang)八分(fen)書,形(xing)制(zhi)仿(fang)唐開元。有(you)銅、鐵兩種,背有(you)星、月紋等(deng),鐵錢十當銅錢一。
錢(qian)本農(nong)(nong)器(qi),其(qi)狀類鏟(chan),用以(yi)劃地(di)除(chu)草者。生民之(zhi)(zhi)初(chu),人各(ge)自(zi)給自(zi)足,無所(suo)謂(wei)(wei)交易,更無所(suo)謂(wei)(wei)過籌,偶有(you)所(suo)需,即以(yi)農(nong)(nong)器(qi)為交易之(zhi)(zhi)媒(mei)。是農(nong)(nong)器(qi)者,即當時所(suo)用之(zhi)(zhi)過籌,亦即今日之(zhi)(zhi)所(suo)謂(wei)(wei)幣也。以(yi)后,因交易之(zhi)(zhi)增繁,漸致(zhi)農(nong)(nong)器(qi)之(zhi)(zhi)不足以(yi)應用,遂象(xiang)其(qi)形而制物以(yi)代之(zhi)(zhi)。其(qi)形狀及用途均與(yu)農(nong)(nong)器(qi)之(zhi)(zhi)錢(qian)等,故仍名之(zhi)(zhi)曰錢(qian),此(ci)通籌之(zhi)(zhi)所(suo)以(yi)名錢(qian)者以(yi)此(ci)。
至其(qi)肇始(shi)(shi)之(zhi)(zhi)年(nian)代,現已(yi)無(wu)法確考(kao)。但據(ju)(ju)《管子》載,稱錢(qian)(qian)之(zhi)(zhi)興(xing)蓋(gai)自燧人(ren)氏以(yi)輕重為天(tian)下利,至黃帝時,其(qi)法寢備(bei),則《紀原》謂(wei)始(shi)(shi)于帝堯(yao)遭大(da)水而始(shi)(shi)鑄(zhu)(zhu)錢(qian)(qian)者非(fei),此說似(si)屬(shu)近理(li)。蓋(gai)雖(sui)非(fei)始(shi)(shi)自燧人(ren)氏,其(qi)相(xiang)(xiang)去亦不(bu)遠也。據(ju)(ju)后世(shi)多(duo)數考(kao)古(gu)(gu)家之(zhi)(zhi)考(kao)證,在出土之(zhi)(zhi)古(gu)(gu)錢(qian)(qian)中,有一(yi)種鏟幣與黃帝后任何時期(qi)之(zhi)(zhi)錢(qian)(qian)幣不(bu)同,糟朽已(yi)達極(ji)點(dian),握手即行粉碎,其(qi)花紋字體與五帝三代之(zhi)(zhi)器無(wu)一(yi)相(xiang)(xiang)同,是(shi)或即燧人(ren)氏最初(chu)所鑄(zhu)(zhu)之(zhi)(zhi)錢(qian)(qian)歟?至伏羲(xi)氏乃鑄(zhu)(zhu)棘幣,據(ju)(ju)史載,伏羲(xi)氏聚天(tian)下之(zhi)(zhi)銅以(yi)鑄(zhu)(zhu)幣,今(jin)日(ri)所見古(gu)(gu)錢(qian)(qian),凡文字與骨甲刻(ke)字相(xiang)(xiang)同者,皆系此時所鑄(zhu)(zhu)之(zhi)(zhi)物也。
此后,錢之(zhi)(zhi)為(wei)用深人民間,各代帝王無不以鑄(zhu)(zhu)錢為(wei)要政。神農時(shi),鑄(zhu)(zhu)錢尤多(duo)(duo),惟式(shi)(shi)樣(yang)仍系(xi)鐘形,文(wen)字仍用刀刻,與(yu)伏羲(xi)氏(shi)所(suo)制者殆無少異。至黃帝時(shi),對于(yu)鑄(zhu)(zhu)幣尤為(wei)努力,據史載,黃帝以柏(bo)高為(wei)壙(kuang)師,煉銅鑄(zhu)(zhu)幣。又載,黃帝開首山(shan)之(zhi)(zhi)礦以鑄(zhu)(zhu)幣。故三代以前(qian),以黃帝鑄(zhu)(zhu)幣之(zhi)(zhi)時(shi)間為(wei)最(zui)久,而所(suo)鑄(zhu)(zhu)之(zhi)(zhi)幣亦(yi)獨多(duo)(duo)也。按黃帝所(suo)鑄(zhu)(zhu)之(zhi)(zhi)幣,多(duo)(duo)數仍為(wei)鏟式(shi)(shi),但間有刀形者,字體(ti)則多(duo)(duo)為(wei)刀刻,間有漆書者。堯(yao)舜雖(sui)亦(yi)鑄(zhu)(zhu)幣,但均系(xi)拯救饑溺,偶(ou)爾舉行,式(shi)(shi)樣(yang)文(wen)字與(yu)前(qian)相同(tong),并無變異。
至夏時,所鑄雖亦(yi)為鏟形,但(dan)全(quan)為漆(qi)書,并無刀刻字(zi)體者。總之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),自有(you)幣(bi)(bi)(bi)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)始,以迄夏初所通(tong)用之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)幣(bi)(bi)(bi),完全(quan)均為鏟形。伏羲氏之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)棘幣(bi)(bi)(bi),絕非(fei)伏羲氏時所通(tong)行(xing)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)幣(bi)(bi)(bi)。其(qi)他葛天(tian)氏之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)圓形幣(bi)(bi)(bi),既系圓孔,亦(yi)定非(fei)通(tong)行(xing)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)幣(bi)(bi)(bi)。至黃(huang)帝時之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)金(jin)刀幣(bi)(bi)(bi),亦(yi)非(fei)通(tong)行(xing)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)幣(bi)(bi)(bi),是可(ke)知在三代以前,各代之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)幣(bi)(bi)(bi)雖大(da)小文字(zi)問有(you)不同,其(qi)為鏟形則一也。
至商之(zhi)時(shi),除仍(reng)鑄幣(bi)(bi)(bi)外,又兼(jian)鑄方(fang)孔圓(yuan)(yuan)周之(zhi)幣(bi)(bi)(bi),蓋取天圓(yuan)(yuan)地方(fang)之(zhi)義也(ye)。而《古泉匯》竟(jing)謂方(fang)孔之(zhi)幣(bi)(bi)(bi)始于(yu)伏(fu)羲,實(shi)杜論也(ye)。因方(fang)孔之(zhi)幣(bi)(bi)(bi)其(qi)文字均為篆體,伏(fu)羲氏時(shi)何(he)當有篆字也(ye),此說不攻自破(po)。及周,一(yi)切法商,但所鑄者,圓(yuan)(yuan)幣(bi)(bi)(bi)多而鏟(chan)幣(bi)(bi)(bi)少也(ye)'其(qi)字體則大小篆兼(jian)有,與夏略(lve)同。至景王時(shi),更鑄大錢(qian),文曰(yue)(yue)“寶貨(huo)”。又鑄刀(dao)錢(qian),亦曰(yue)(yue)寶貨(huo),每刀(dao)之(zhi)頭有環一(yi),故幣(bi)(bi)(bi)制(zhi)有稱(cheng)環法者,蓋即本此也(ye)。
秦始皇并(bing)滅(mie)六國,統(tong)一(yi)天(tian)下(xia),毀滅(mie)先(xian)王,推翻(fan)前制,以(yi)便于萬(wan)世自(zi)為(wei)(wei)(wei),因收得(de)民間之(zhi)銅器而(er)改鑄(zhu)重錢(qian),雖錢(qian)質如周,而(er)文(wen)(wen)(wen)則曰(yue)“半(ban)兩(liang)(liang)”,不曰(yue)“寶貨(huo)”矣。及漢(han),以(yi)秦錢(qian)太重,不便于用,遂改鑄(zhu)榆莢錢(qian),以(yi)錢(qian)之(zhi)輕(qing)有似榆莢,隨風吹(chui)動,并(bing)非(fei)形似榆莢也。雖文(wen)(wen)(wen)仍曰(yue)“半(ban)兩(liang)(liang)”,而(er)實較秦錢(qian)為(wei)(wei)(wei)輕(qing)。及呂后(hou)為(wei)(wei)(wei)政,鑄(zhu)八銖之(zhi)錢(qian)。孝文(wen)(wen)(wen)帝時莢錢(qian)益輕(qing),乃改鑄(zhu)四(si)銖錢(qian),其(qi)文(wen)(wen)(wen)仍曰(yue)“半(ban)兩(liang)(liang)”,令(ling)民自(zi)由鑄(zhu)造。故(gu)吳王劉濞(bi)以(yi)即山鑄(zhu)錢(qian),富埒天(tian)子,鄧通以(yi)蜀之(zhi)銅山鑄(zhu)錢(qian)財過王者。然錢(qian)文(wen)(wen)(wen)為(wei)(wei)(wei)“半(ban)兩(liang)(liang)”而(er)無輪廓,故(gu)吳鄧之(zhi)錢(qian)布滿天(tian)下(xia)。且縣(xian)官可以(yi)鑄(zhu)錢(qian),民亦間盜(dao)鑄(zhu),于是錢(qian)益輕(qing)薄(bo)。乃令(ling)縣(xian)官銷半(ban)兩(liang)(liang)錢(qian),更(geng)(geng)鑄(zhu)三銖,文(wen)(wen)(wen)如其(qi)重。以(yi)三銖錢(qian)輕(qing),易奸詐,乃更(geng)(geng)鑄(zhu)五銖錢(qian),周郭其(qi)下(xia),令(ling)不可摩(mo)取镕焉。
民多奸(jian)鑄錢(qian)(qian)(qian),錢(qian)(qian)(qian)益多益輕,京師鑄鐘官赤側,一當五(wu)賦,俗所謂紫紺(gan)錢(qian)(qian)(qian)。悉禁郡國勿(wu)鑄錢(qian)(qian)(qian),專(zhuan)令上林三官鑄錢(qian)(qian)(qian),而令天(tian)下非三官錢(qian)(qian)(qian)不得行使。諸(zhu)郡國所鑄之錢(qian)(qian)(qian)皆(jie)廢銷(xiao)之,輸其銅入三官。孝元帝(di)奉(feng)承大業,溫恭(gong)少(shao)欲,都(dou)(dou)內錢(qian)(qian)(qian)四十(shi)萬(wan)萬(wan),水衡錢(qian)(qian)(qian)二十(shi)五(wu)萬(wan)萬(wan),少(shao)府錢(qian)(qian)(qian)十(shi)八萬(wan)萬(wan),都(dou)(dou)內、水衡、少(shao)府即三官錢(qian)(qian)(qian),皆(jie)天(tian)子(zi)之私藏也。
孝武帝更鑄行三分(fen)(fen)錢(qian)(qian)。王(wang)莽(mang)居攝,變漢制,更鑄大(da)錢(qian)(qian),徑(jing)(jing)一(yi)寸(cun)二(er)分(fen)(fen),重(zhong)(zhong)十(shi)(shi)二(er)銖(zhu),文(wen)(wen)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)“大(da)錢(qian)(qian)五(wu)(wu)十(shi)(shi)”。又(you)造契(qi)刀(dao)、錯(cuo)刀(dao),其(qi)環如大(da)錢(qian)(qian),身形如刀(dao),長二(er)寸(cun),文(wen)(wen)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)“契(qi)刀(dao)五(wu)(wu)百”,錯(cuo)刀(dao)以(yi)黃金(jin)錯(cuo),其(qi)文(wen)(wen)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)“一(yi)刀(dao)值五(wu)(wu)千”,與五(wu)(wu)銖(zhu)錢(qian)(qian)凡四品(pin)并行于世。莽(mang)纂位,忌惡劉氏,以(yi)錢(qian)(qian)文(wen)(wen)有金(jin)刀(dao),故乃(nai)罷錯(cuo)刀(dao)、契(qi)刀(dao)及五(wu)(wu)銖(zhu)錢(qian)(qian),而更作金(jin)錢(qian)(qian)、龜貝、錢(qian)(qian)布(bu)(bu)之品(pin),名曰(yue)(yue)(yue)“寶(bao)貨”。小(xiao)錢(qian)(qian)徑(jing)(jing)六分(fen)(fen),重(zhong)(zhong)一(yi)銖(zhu),文(wen)(wen)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)“小(xiao)錢(qian)(qian)值一(yi)”;次(ci)(ci)徑(jing)(jing)七(qi)分(fen)(fen),重(zhong)(zhong)三銖(zhu),文(wen)(wen)曰(yue)(yue)(yue):“么(me)錢(qian)(qian)一(yi)十(shi)(shi)”;又(you)次(ci)(ci)徑(jing)(jing)八分(fen)(fen),重(zhong)(zhong)五(wu)(wu)銖(zhu),文(wen)(wen)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)“幼(you)錢(qian)(qian)二(er)十(shi)(shi)”;又(you)次(ci)(ci)徑(jing)(jing)九分(fen)(fen),重(zhong)(zhong)七(qi)銖(zhu),文(wen)(wen)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)“中錢(qian)(qian)三十(shi)(shi)”;又(you)次(ci)(ci)徑(jing)(jing)一(yi)寸(cun),重(zhong)(zhong)九銖(zhu),文(wen)(wen)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)“壯錢(qian)(qian)四十(shi)(shi)”;及十(shi)(shi)二(er)銖(zhu)之大(da)錢(qian)(qian)。是(shi)為錢(qian)(qian)貨六品(pin),其(qi)值各如其(qi)文(wen)(wen)。又(you)鑄大(da)布(bu)(bu)、次(ci)(ci)布(bu)(bu)、弟布(bu)(bu)、壯布(bu)(bu)、中布(bu)(bu)、差(cha)布(bu)(bu)、厚布(bu)(bu)、幼(you)布(bu)(bu)、么(me)布(bu)(bu)、小(xiao)布(bu)(bu)。小(xiao)布(bu)(bu)長一(yi)寸(cun)五(wu)(wu)分(fen)(fen),重(zhong)(zhong)十(shi)(shi)五(wu)(wu)銖(zhu),文(wen)(wen)曰(yue)(yue)(yue)“小(xiao)布(bu)(bu)一(yi)百”。
自小布以(yi)上,各相長一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)分,相重一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)銖,文(wen)名(ming)為(wei)(wei)其布名(ming),值(zhi)各加一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)百(bai)。上至大布,長二寸四分,重一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)兩,而值(zhi)千錢(qian)矣。是為(wei)(wei)布十品,皆為(wei)(wei)銅(tong)(tong)鑄(zhu)(zhu),遂(sui)廢漢(han)(han)之(zhi)五(wu)(wu)銖錢(qian)。東漢(han)(han)馬援(yuan)為(wei)(wei)虎賁中郎(lang)將,親對光武(wu)申述,求復五(wu)(wu)銖,乃從之(zhi),遂(sui)鑄(zhu)(zhu)五(wu)(wu)銖錢(qian)。后漢(han)(han)公(gong)孫述廢銅(tong)(tong),置鐵官錢(qian)。及(ji)董卓為(wei)(wei)逆,壞五(wu)(wu)銖錢(qian),更鑄(zhu)(zhu)小錢(qian),而無(wu)輪(lun)郭。悉取洛(luo)陽、西安之(zhi)銅(tong)(tong)人,鐘(zhong)虛銅(tong)(tong)馬之(zhi)屬充(chong)鑄(zhu)(zhu)焉(yan)。孫權嘉平五(wu)(wu)年,鑄(zhu)(zhu)大錢(qian),一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)當五(wu)(wu)百(bai)。赤烏元(yuan)年'又鑄(zhu)(zhu)當千錢(qian)。晉(jin)元(yuan)帝過江,用孫氏舊(jiu)錢(qian),輕重雜行,大者謂之(zhi)比輪(lun),中者謂之(zhi)四文(wen)。吳興沈(shen)充(chong)又鑄(zhu)(zhu)小錢(qian),謂之(zhi)沈(shen)郎(lang)錢(qian)。
至六朝,宋元(yuan)祖即位,鑄(zhu)(zhu)二(er)銖(zhu)錢(qian)(qian)(qian)(qian),形式(shi)轉細。官錢(qian)(qian)(qian)(qian)每出,民間即模效私(si)鑄(zhu)(zhu),而大小厚(hou)薄皆不及(ji)。太宗明帝景和(he)元(yuan)年春,鑄(zhu)(zhu)二(er)銖(zhu)錢(qian)(qian)(qian)(qian)。民益私(si)鑄(zhu)(zhu)之,由是千錢(qian)(qian)(qian)(qian)長(chang)不盈三寸(cun),謂(wei)之鵝眼錢(qian)(qian)(qian)(qian)。劣于(yu)此者(zhe)謂(wei)之綖(yan)環,貫之以縷,入水不沉,隨(sui)手破碎(sui),市井不欲流行,數十(shi)萬(wan)錢(qian)(qian)(qian)(qian)不盈一掬。十(shi)一月乃罷二(er)銖(zhu)錢(qian)(qian)(qian)(qian),禁鵝眼、綖(yan)環等錢(qian)(qian)(qian)(qian),余(yu)皆用之。
梁(liang)敬(jing)帝太平二年(nian)四月,鑄(zhu)(zhu)四柱錢(qian)(qian),一準二十,后又改曰(yue)“柱錢(qian)(qian)一準十”。南史曹武(wu)在雍(yong)州(zhou)致(zhi)見錢(qian)(qian)七千萬(wan),皆為厚輪大廓。魏所用之(zhi)錢(qian)(qian),民多私鑄(zhu)(zhu),日就薄小,乃至(zhi)風飄水浮。楊侃鎮雍(yong)州(zhou),聽(ting)民與(yu)官(guan)共鑄(zhu)(zhu)五銖錢(qian)(qian),復上書申請之(zhi)。孝莊(zhuang)帝從之(zhi)。乃鑄(zhu)(zhu)五銖錢(qian)(qian),并(bing)古錢(qian)(qian),不限大小,悉聽(ting)行(xing)之(zhi)。雞(ji)眼、環依律而禁,并(bing)以(yi)京都(dou)銅(tong)像毀以(yi)鑄(zhu)(zhu)錢(qian)(qian),世號曰(yue)“河(he)陽錢(qian)(qian)”。周武(wu)帝更鑄(zhu)(zhu)錢(qian)(qian),文曰(yue)“布泉”,以(yi)一當(dang)五,與(yu)五銖錢(qian)(qian)并(bing)行(xing)。更鑄(zhu)(zhu)五行(xing)大布錢(qian)(qian),以(yi)一當(dang)十,與(yu)布泉錢(qian)(qian)并(bing)行(xing)。至(zhi)宣武(wu)帝大象元年(nian)十一月,鑄(zhu)(zhu)永通萬(wan)國錢(qian)(qian),以(yi)一當(dang)十,與(yu)五行(xing)大布錢(qian)(qian)并(bing)行(xing)。
隋時,巨奸大猾遂(sui)多私鑄(zhu)錢(qian),益(yi)薄(bo)惡(e)。初(chu)(chu)每(mei)千猶重二(er)斤,后(hou)漸輕至(zhi)一斤,或(huo)剪鐵繅裁皮(pi)糊紙以(yi)為錢(qian),相雜用之(zhi)。唐時之(zhi)江淮錢(qian)尤濫惡(e),有官(guan)爐(lu)、偏爐(lu)、積(ji)錢(qian)、時錢(qian)數色(se)。高祖(zu)武德初(chu)(chu)鑄(zhu)開通錢(qian),仰篆隸八分體(ti),十(shi)文(wen)重一兩,為開通元(yuan)寶。第五(wu)琦請鑄(zhu)乾元(yuan)重寶錢(qian),以(yi)一代十(shi)。既當國(guo)(guo),又鑄(zhu)重規錢(qian)五(wu)十(shi)。及史思明僭(jian)號,鑄(zhu)順天得一錢(qian)。宋太(tai)宗改元(yuan)為太(tai)平興國(guo)(guo),更(geng)(geng)鑄(zhu)太(tai)平通寶。淳(chun)化后(hou)改鑄(zhu),又親書淳(chun)化元(yuan)寶,作真行草(cao)三體(ti)。后(hou)改元(yuan)更(geng)(geng)鑄(zhu),皆曰元(yuan)寶。復而冠(guan)以(yi)年(nian)號,至(zhi)是(shi)改元(yuan),則曰宋通元(yuan)寶。
太(tai)(tai)宗(zong)皇帝大觀元(yuan)年(nian)(nian)(nian),首鑄(zhu)御(yu)書當十(shi)錢(qian)(qian),以(yi)京(jing)畿瀘(lu)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)復(fu)鑄(zhu)烏背瀘(lu)銅(tong)(tong)錢(qian)(qian),詔以(yi)剪銅(tong)(tong)式(shi),頒(ban)行(xing)諸州。前世鑄(zhu)錢(qian)(qian)未有草書者,始以(yi)宸翰為(wei)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),既成,以(yi)賜近臣。蜀(shu)人更(geng)私(si)為(wei)鐵錢(qian)(qian),仁宗(zong)特(te)命以(yi)皇宋通(tong)寶(bao)為(wei)文(wen)。慶歷以(yi)后,冠以(yi)年(nian)(nian)(nian)號,如舊神宗(zong)熙寧六年(nian)(nian)(nian)十(shi)月(yue)行(xing)折(zhe)二(er)錢(qian)(qian)。高宗(zong)更(geng)毀(hui)民私(si)鑄(zhu)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)毛錢(qian)(qian)。南宋之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)季,中國之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)北(bei)部為(wei)遼金(jin)(jin)所占據者多年(nian)(nian)(nian),因之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)遼金(jin)(jin)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)錢(qian)(qian)流人中國者甚(shen)多,且鑄(zhu)造(zao)均(jun)極精良如遼太(tai)(tai)祖耶律阿保機所鑄(zhu)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)夭顯(xian)錢(qian)(qian)、天贊錢(qian)(qian),形(xing)式(shi)文(wen)字均(jun)極精妙,金(jin)(jin)海陵王所鑄(zhu)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)正隆錢(qian)(qian)、世宗(zong)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)大定(ding)錢(qian)(qian),亦(yi)均(jun)佳美(mei)。《金(jin)(jin)史》謂其中有銀,或(huo)不(bu)虛也。元(yuan)朝入主中國,改鑄(zhu)大錢(qian)(qian),以(yi)前各代之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)錢(qian)(qian)體式(shi)均(jun)小.不(bu)受人民歡(huan)迎,遂漸淘(tao)汰。惟至元(yuan)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)末(mo),國用(yong)不(bu)給,創行(xing)權(quan)鈔(chao),即(ji)于銅(tong)(tong)錢(qian)(qian)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)右,書明權(quan)鈔(chao)二(er)字,其左方書明幾兩(liang)幾分字樣,即(ji)此(ci)一枚銅(tong)(tong)錢(qian)(qian),權(quan)作銀若(ruo)干,亦(yi)即(ji)當十(shi)當百(bai)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)同意也。