{"product_id":"ancient-chinese-bronze-spade-money-casting-mold-anyang-mint-warring-states-c-475-221-bc-rare-jin-denomination","title":"Ancient Chinese Bronze Spade Money Casting Mold - Anyang Mint - Warring States c. 475-221 BC - Rare \"Jin\" Denomination","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a rare and historically significant archaeological artifact: an original bronze casting mold for \"Square Foot\" Spade Money (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFang Zu Bu\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e). This dual-cavity mold was a master tool used by ancient minters to create the distinctive spade-shaped currency of the Warring States period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe interior of the mold f\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eeatures crisp, recessed archaic \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeal Script (Zhuanshu)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e characters. The right cavity identifies the mint city as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnyang (安陽)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a prominent economic center of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eState of Zhao\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The left cavity designates the denomination as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJin (釿)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a standard unit \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eof weight and value.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003eThe piece exhibits a magnificent, multi-layered \"water patina\" with deep charcoal tones, punctuated by authentic malachite (green) and cuprite (red) mineral encrustations. This oxidation is consistent with long-term interment in the loess soil of North-Central China and serves as a primary indicator of its ancient origin.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDesign:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Dual-cavity \"Square Foot\" Spade (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFang Zu Bu\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMint:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Anyang (State of Zhao\/Wei)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScript:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Archaic Seal Script (Zhuanshu)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTechnique:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Precision-cast bronze master mold\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003eProduct Specifications\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Leaded Bronze \/ Ancient Copper Alloy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e China (Anyang Region)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAge:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Warring States Period (c. 475–221 BC)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approx. 3\" x 4.75\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Excellent archaeological state. The interior casting surfaces remain sharp, while the exterior shows heavy, stable mineralization and authentic burial patina.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthenticity Note: The Patina\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-904de165-7fff-9c23-3dae-2c998d6e71d9\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003eThe surface of this bronze mold is covered in a genuine \"burial crust.\" This consists of stable mineralized layers where the copper has reacted over centuries with the surrounding earth. The presence of hard, crystallized malachite (green) that has \"grown\" out of the metal—rather than being painted on—is a hallmark of an authentic ancient bronze.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003eReference \u0026amp; Citation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003eFor authentication and historical comparison, this mold type is documented in:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBook Title:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChinese Cast Coins\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e David Hartill\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePage Number:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Section 3.61 - 3.75 (Square Foot Spades: Anyang Mint)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"docs-internal-guid-f650f6bd-7fff-f6b9-b71b-945478554e27\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003e(Also referenced in Fisher's Ding, pp. 12-14 regarding Zhao State currency).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003eItem dimensions: 1\/8\" tall × 4 7\/8\" long x 2.75\" deep\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003eWeight of item: 4.9 oz\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003eShipping calculated by eBay\/USPS\/UPS based on your ZIP code.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003eItem Description and Condition Disclaimer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003eWe take great care in researching, identifying, and describing each antique item to the best of our ability, drawing on available resources and hands-on examination. However, as dedicated enthusiasts rather than professional appraisers or certified experts, we cannot offer guarantees on authenticity, age, origin, or precise valuation. We strongly recommend that buyers perform their own due diligence, including consulting reference materials or experts, and thoroughly examine the accompanying photographs. These images are an essential component of our listing and depict the item's actual condition, including any visible flaws, wear, or imperfections consistent with its antique nature. It is the buyer's responsibility to inspect each lot and form their own assessment on condition, description and authenticity before purchasing. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAll items have signs of wear commensurate with age and usage. The lack of statement regarding condition does not imply that the item is in perfect condition or free from any and all defects. If you have any questions regarding the condition of the items, please ask and we will be more than happy to answer and\/or provide additional photos as requested. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003eCustomer Service Commitment\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003eWe truly value our customers and prioritize building lasting relationships through exceptional service. If you'd like additional photos or have questions about an item, we're more than happy to provide them promptly upon request. In the event of any concerns after purchase, please reach out to us as soon as possible--certainly before submitting feedback--so we can work together to resolve the matter swiftly and fairly. Our utmost focus is on customer satisfaction, and we'll do everything in our power to ensure every transaction is smooth, transparent, and positive for you.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Light and Legacy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43331292528683,"sku":"267","price":1200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/5379\/5371\/files\/20251223_220838.jpg?v=1773702853","url":"https:\/\/thelightandlegacy.com\/products\/ancient-chinese-bronze-spade-money-casting-mold-anyang-mint-warring-states-c-475-221-bc-rare-jin-denomination","provider":"Light and Legacy","version":"1.0","type":"link"}