Drachmas Doubloons and Dollars: The History of Money
(Exhibition Home)
Ancient and Medieval East and South Asia
Introduction
Early Chinese Money - The Reforms of Wang Mang - The Tang and the Tongbao - Viet Nam - Japan - India and South Asia - Southeast Asia - Korea
The Tang and the Tongbao

The Tang Dynasty (AD 618-906) introduced a coin that would become the "Euro" of Asia for more than 1,000 years. The tongbao was introduced, copied and used in Korea, Viet Nam and Japan. This greatly eased trade throughout East Asia, as goods could be paid for in a common currency until the 19th century.
Copper cash Kai Yuan Tongbao issued under the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-906).
Copper 10 cash Da Guan Tongbao of the Song Dynasty Emperor Huizong (AD 1101-1126), from the Beijing mint.