This is a rare and historically significant archaeological artifact: an original bronze casting mold for "Square Foot" Spade Money (Fang Zu Bu). This dual-cavity mold was a master tool used by ancient minters to create the distinctive spade-shaped currency of the Warring States period.

The interior of the mold features crisp, recessed archaic Seal Script (Zhuanshu) characters. The right cavity identifies the mint city as Anyang (安陽), a prominent economic center of the State of Zhao. The left cavity designates the denomination as Jin (釿), a standard unit of weight and value.

The 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.

• Design: Dual-cavity "Square Foot" Spade (Fang Zu Bu)

• Mint: Anyang (State of Zhao/Wei)

• Script: Archaic Seal Script (Zhuanshu)

• Technique: Precision-cast bronze master mold

Product Specifications

• Material: Leaded Bronze / Ancient Copper Alloy

• Origin: China (Anyang Region)

• Age: Warring States Period (c. 475–221 BC)

• Dimensions: Approx. 3" x 4.75"

• Condition: Excellent archaeological state. The interior casting surfaces remain sharp, while the exterior shows heavy, stable mineralization and authentic burial patina.

Authenticity Note: The Patina

• The 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.

Reference & Citation

For authentication and historical comparison, this mold type is documented in:

Book Title: Chinese Cast Coins

Author: David Hartill

Page Number: Section 3.61 - 3.75 (Square Foot Spades: Anyang Mint)

(Also referenced in Fisher's Ding, pp. 12-14 regarding Zhao State currency).

Item dimensions: 1/8" tall × 4 7/8" long x 2.75" deep

Weight of item: 4.9 oz

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