Coins of the World

Coins allow us a glimpse into times that have left few other artifacts and serve as a record of important historical events. They tell the story of the world’s cultures in religious, social, and economic evolution over many thousands of years and in many parts of the world. China is thought to be the first country to mint and use copper coins, as early as the eleventh century BC. These coins, introduced by the Shang Dynasty to replace the traditional cowrie shell currency, were circular with a s