中国茶叶公司茶砖钱。 重：1,110克。尺寸：230x185x22毫米。中国茶叶公司茶砖。正面有三行图文，第一行是六颗星星图案；第二行是大门图案，门楣上一颗星；第三行是两行字：中国茶叶公司，赵李桥砖茶厂制造。背面中间为"88"图案，环绕16个中国结。反面中央顶部有一小凹痕。<p><p>历史上，茶砖作为货币，在中原、西藏、蒙古和中亚流通。由于茶砖的即食性和药用性，有时，相较于金属货币，人们更喜爱茶砖。20世纪中叶，茶砖在某些地域依然行使货币功能。本拍品为现代制造，造型独特，用作饮品茶。
CHINA. Tea Money Brick, ND (ca. 1975-85). Grade: EXTREMELY FINE. Mitch-4144, Opitz-pg. 339 (second piece illustrated). Dimensions: 230x185x22 mm, 1110 gms. China National Tea Corporation Tea Money Brick. The front is divided into 3 panels, 6 stars in the upper panel; the center exhibiting a gate with a star in the upper arch; and the bottom panel reading: "Zhongguo Chaye Gongsi" (China National Tea Corporation) in line one, and "Zhaoliqiao Zhuancha Chang Zhizao" (Made by the Zhaoliqiao Brick Tea Factory) in line two. The reverse is perforated into 16 panels, each decorated identically with a motif similar in outline to an endless knot, and with a stylized "88" in the center. Small indentation is noted at the reverse top center.<p><em>Originally, tea bricks were used as a form of currency throughout China, Tibet, Mongolia, and Central Asia. They were sometimes preferable to metallic currency due to their ready use as food and perceived medicinal benefits when brewed. Tea bricks were reportedly still being used up until the mid-20th Century in some areas. The current lot is a modern recreation by the Peoples Republic, made to sell as a novelty item and for use as tea.</em>
