Asian Coins
Discover the rich numismatic heritage of Asia, from ancient Chinese cash coins to modern commemoratives. Explore coins that reflect thousands of years of civilization, trade, and cultural exchange across the world's largest continent.
Asian Regions & Civilizations
East Asia
Chinese cash coins, Japanese yen, Korean mun, and coinage from one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations.
View East Asian CoinsSouth Asia
Indian rupees, Mughal mohurs, Sri Lankan coins, and numismatic treasures from the Indian subcontinent.
View South Asian CoinsSoutheast Asia
Thai baht, Indonesian rupiah, Vietnamese ฤแปng, and coinage from the ASEAN nations and island kingdoms.
View Southeast Asian CoinsCentral Asia
Silk Road coinage, Islamic dirhams, Mongolian tรถgrรถg, and coins from the steppe empires and mountain kingdoms.
View Central Asian CoinsMiddle East
Arabic dinars, Persian coins, Ottoman currency, and Islamic coinage from the birthplace of civilization.
View Middle Eastern CoinsFeatured Asian Coins
Chinese Cash Coin
Bronze coin with square hole, Qing Dynasty
Imperial China
Indian Gold Mohur
Mughal Empire gold coin with Arabic script
Mughal Period
Meiji Yen
Silver coin with dragon design, 19th century
Meiji EraAsian Historical Periods
Ancient Civilizations
2000 BC - 500 AD: Chinese spade money, punch-marked coins, Greek-influenced coinage, and early Silk Road currencies.
Classical Empires
500-1500 AD: Tang-Song cash coins, Islamic dinar reforms, Khmer coinage, and medieval Asian monetary systems.
Early Modern
1500-1800: Ming-Qing cash, Mughal rupees, Tokugawa coinage, and European colonial currency introductions.
Modern Era
1800-Present: Decimalization, national currencies, independence issues, and contemporary commemorative coinage.
Traditional Asian Coin Types
Cash Coin
Bronze coins with square holes used in China for over 2000 years, featuring Chinese characters and symbols.
Rupee
Silver coin originating in India, widely used across South Asia and the Indian Ocean trade network.
Dinar
Gold coin of Islamic empires, based on Byzantine solidus, used throughout the Middle East and Central Asia.
Koban
Japanese oval gold coin used during Edo period, featuring intricate designs and high gold content.
Asian Coins FAQ
Asian coins often feature calligraphic scripts, symbolic animals (dragons, phoenixes), square holes (Chinese cash), and different metallic compositions. They reflect diverse cultural traditions, from Chinese philosophy and Islamic art to Hindu-Buddhist symbolism. Unlike Western portrait-focused coinage, Asian coins typically emphasize calligraphy, symbols, and geometric patterns.
Asian coin inscriptions require knowledge of various scripts: Chinese characters, Arabic calligraphy, Devanagari, and others. Key elements include reign titles, mint marks, and auspicious phrases. Reference books, online databases, and specialized forums are essential. Many collectors start with coins that have English translations or focus on specific regions they're familiar with.
Highly valuable Asian coins include early Chinese spade money, Ming Dynasty Yongle tongbao, Mughal Empire gold mohurs, Japanese gold koban, rare Islamic dinars, and coins from short-lived kingdoms. Coins with historical significance, exceptional artistry, or from important hoards command premium prices in the numismatic market.
The Silk Road facilitated coinage exchange between East and West, leading to hybrid designs and standardized weights. Chinese silk was often measured against silver ingots, influencing monetary systems. Islamic coins circulated in China, while Chinese cash coins reached Southeast Asia. This exchange created interconnected monetary networks across Asia for centuries.