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This note is not in my collection. Scan courtesy of Mike Irwin.
The above 30 Kuan note was issued during the reign of Emperor Yizong (833-873), the 18th emperor of Tang dynasty, 859-873.
China was the first country to issue paper money. Paper currency was the by-product of Chinese woodblock printing.
It started in Tang but not until Sung dynasty that its usage became more widespread. Paper money had two main advantages
over money made out of silver, gold, copper or iron: easier to carry around, and saved metals for use in other everyday products.
Paper money began with Fei Chien (flying money) of the Tang (618-907) dynasty. The Tang government considering the
inconvenience of shipping hard cash to distant areas where government purchases were made, paid local merchants with money
certifiactes called Fei Chien, because of its tendency to blow away. These certificates bearing different values could
be redeemed for hard cash on demand at the capital. Since they were transferable, they were exchanged among merchants almost
like currency.
Counterfeiting is not just a modern day problem. It has been around ever since the first appearance of paper money. The
deterence back then was by the threat of death. Written in Chinese on the lower half of the note: Printed with the approval
of the Emperor. Great Tang Treasure Note can be used in conjunction with hard cash. Counterfeiter will be beheaded. Informer
will be rewarded with 1200 taels of silver. Xiantong (Reign of Yizong, 860-873).
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