Inventions of the Yuan Dynasty: Paper Money
By Melissa Rose—Red Class—2/1/12
Paper money was arguably the
greatest invention spread to China during the Yuan Dynasty. Paper money had
been in circulation around Asia several hundred years beforehand, but during
the Yuan rule, paper money became the only form acceptable. Before that, coins
were the main monetary system in and around China. They were constructed from
several metals such as gold, silver and copper. However, some of the coins were
large and heavy, and it was a great burden to carry lots around, or even to the
market. Paper money relieved that extra unnecessary weight, so now, one could
carry around even more of it, and it would still be 10 times less the weight.
In addition to the weight issue of the coins, paper money was easier to trade
and travel with. Paper money was a great leap forward for China, and not one
villager would disagree.
An
ancient Chinese note
(From news.goldseek.com)
(From news.goldseek.com)
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