战国楚国金版。重10.44克。刻有铭文"鼒"。製于今湖北省。製作时，先作有铭文的金钣（金版），再根据需要将其切成零星小块。此为中国货币史上首款形制确定的金质货币。本拍品几乎完全被红泥和其他积土包裹，图文模糊。中国钱币中妙趣横生的一枚，定能引起顶尖藏家的兴趣。
CHINA. State of Chu. "Yuan Jin" Gold Cube Money, ND (ca. 475-221 B.C.). Warring States Period. VERY FINE。History of Chinese Currency-pg. 7, #1. 10.44 gms. Inscribed "Ying Yuan". Made in what is now Hubei province, it was cut from larger bars which allowed for the making of small denominations. In this particular case, some indeterminate fraction of one "cube" were separated from a larger set. Hartill conjectures that these stamped shapes were not meant to be specific weight units, but rather to validate the larger gold block. Historically this is Chinas first gold currency with a fixed shape and size. Almost entirely encrusted with red clay and other earthen deposits obscuring the design features. An interesting aspect of Chinese numismatics sure to excite even the most advanced of collectors。
