Coin Circulation in East Eurasia from the 10th to the 15th Centuries

This study attempts to throw light on coin circulation in East Eurasia through a comparison of different areas using archeological artifacts. Section 1 shows the range and purpose of the research, explaining the actual circumstances of excavated coins in East Eurasia from the 10th to the 15th centuries, attempting to construct a model based on these features, and positioning the excavated coins in the larger flow of coin circulation. Section 2 provides a general overview using examples of the excavated coins. In excavated coin hoards, examples of coins from China, as well as Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia were first examined. It is clear that in China proper under all dynasties, the composition of coin types was similar, coins from the Northern Song were the main types in circulation, and the composition of coin types in Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia was similar to that in China. In single finds, examples of coins from Mongolia, Primorskaya Oblast (the Russian maritime provinces) and Sakhalin were examined and a general understanding was obtained. Single finds were distinguished by a high proportion of large coins, though their number was not necessarily large. On the basis of these findings, Section 3 analyzes the features of coin circulation and observes the special features common to different regions. It is clear that both small coins and large coins circulated in China proper, Mongolia, Primorskaya Oblast (the Russian maritime provinces) and Sakhalin, while small copper coins circulated in Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia. From these features of coin circulation, Section 4 attempts to construct a model of coin circulation in East Eurasia. The structure of this model is as follows. First, we set up a circulation zone with concentric regions A, B and C centered on China proper in which small coins and large coins circulated. Next, for the other regions, we configured circulation zones composed of regions a, b and c centered respectively on Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia where small copper coins circulated. The structure of the model is such that part of both zones overlapped at the same time. As a test, coins excavated in the region of Northeast Asia, including Hokkaido, were examined in light of the model. Using this circulation model, we hope to examine many examples and to achieve increased precision. Finally, we also hope that it will become a basic concept for establishing “Numismatic Archaeology in East Eurasia.