Primitive earliest Chinese coinage - cowrie-shaped coin made out of carved white stone (alabaster?) with two holes for stringing. 22mm long, 1.23 grams. Hartill type #1.2var; Schjoth A-6 (for the stone type); Zeno #306158.

Rare type.

Cowries were used as primitive money in China since the 2nd millennium BC. Later on, bronze cowrie-shaped coins and cowrie-shaped coins made out of carved stone (like this piece) were used as money. This type, made of carved dark jade is found in Northern China. Rare local cowrie issue.

This coin is unconditionally guaranteed to be authentic.