文博日历丨古人的存钱罐长啥样？

Core Viewpoint - The article explores ancient Chinese money storage methods, focusing on a red pottery jar filled with coins from the Han Dynasty, highlighting the historical significance and evolution of currency storage practices in ancient China [2][4]. Group 1: Historical Context - The pottery jar, found in the Yangzhou China Grand Canal Museum, contains tightly packed coins, indicating it was used for long-term savings by its owner [2][4]. - The coins inside the jar are identified as "Wuzhu" coins, which were first minted during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han in 118 BC and were used for 739 years until their discontinuation in 621 AD [6][9]. Group 2: Currency Characteristics - "Wuzhu" coins were named for their weight of five "zhus," a historical weight unit, and were designed to facilitate small-value transactions, aligning with the economic needs of the time [8][9]. - The standardization of coin weight and shape during the Han Dynasty significantly influenced the design of Chinese currency for over 2000 years [11]. Group 3: Ancient Money Storage Methods - Ancient Chinese people used various containers for storing money, including pottery jars, piggy banks, and bronze containers, with the piggy bank appearing as early as the Han Dynasty [13][14]. - The design of piggy banks often required them to be broken to access the stored coins, which explains the scarcity of intact examples today [18]. - Specialized money cabinets were also used for larger amounts of currency, with features allowing for easy deposit of coins [20]. - In the ancient Dian Kingdom, bronze containers served as money storage, symbolizing wealth and status while reflecting trade interactions with other regions [24].