漢代黃金及銅錢的使用問題

THE PROBLEM OF THE USES OF COPPER COINS AND GOLD PIECES IN HAN TIME

關於中國經濟史有關貨幣的使用尤其有關漢代貨幣的使用，過去曾有不少人討論過。但是到如今還有不少的誤解，為著清除這些誤解，現在把這些問題再提出來討論，依照我自己的意見來批評，來解釋。人類的文明是從創造工具開始的，但是工具的使用價值形成了以後，工具的應用只要不限於製造工具的人，那就工具的交換價值也立刻顯現出來。

In ancient China various kinds of materials were used as the medium of currency. Cowries were the most popular kind among them. That cowries were highly valued by the ancient Chinese and widely used as money had been shown as early as on the oracle bones. The cowries found at Anyang ruins are similar to the fresh ones found on the Taiwan coast. This fact shows that ancient cowrie shells were transported through a long way from the East China Sea to the center of the China mainland. The original use of cowries might be similar to the use of pearls for necklace which is so common as found in the primitive societies and among the civilized people.