World's First Numistmatist?

Tomb of Ancient Coin Collector Unearthed in NW China

2006-1-15 15:45:35 CRIENGLISH.com

Archaeologists in northwest China's Shaanxi Province have discovered an ancient tomb, possibly of a coin collector, dating back more than 600 years.

During a recent excavation at a Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) tomb in the suburb of Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi, archaeologists found over 150 coins of different dynasties, together with 60 ceramic utensils.

Twenty kinds of coins were in circulation in the dynasties of Tang (618-907), Song (960-1279) and Jin (1115-1234), spanning about 600 years.

They might have been collected by the owner of the tomb who was interested in ancient coins, archaeologists reckoned. A dozen pottery servants and some pottery livestock and poultry were also found in the tomb.

The 40-cm-high servants have clear facial features and carry vivid expressions, showing better craft than in previous dynasties. All the unearthed items are in good condition as the tomb was well preserved, said archaeologists.

Archaeologists have also unearthed 259 Wuzhu coins, the common currency in wide circulation during the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), in a recent excavation in Pingli County of the history-laden Shaanxi Province