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Kaiyuan Tongbao Copper Coin

Type Object Region China Time 621–800

Kaiyuan Tongbao was a round copper coin with a square hole first minted in 621 CE under Emperor Gaozu of Tang, becoming the Tang dynasty's standard c…

Timeline

  1. 621–626Chang'an · ShaanxiEmperor Gaozu of Tang abolished old coins such as the Sui Wuzhu and set up mints in Chang'an, Luoyang, and elsewhere to cast Kaiyuan Tongbao, establishing the standard of ten coins to one guan and ending the chaos of private minting and mixed currencies at the end of the Sui.
  2. 701–755Two capitals and the circuits · ChinaKaiyuan Tongbao became the Tang dynasty's main circulating currency, priced alongside silk, grain, and cloth, penetrating urban and rural markets through tax collection under the equal-field system and fubing militia system, with mints spread throughout the realm.
  3. 756–800Military commissioner regions and Western Regions trade routes · ChinaAfter the An Lushan Rebellion, central finances weakened and regional military commissioners minted more coins, but Kaiyuan Tongbao's design remained the legal standard, and it continued to spread into Central and East Asia via Silk Road merchants, still the most common everyday copper coin by the end of the 8th century.

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