Coins and Paper Money -> Paper Money – World -> China

The Chinese actually invented paper money, and the process of making it dates back to the early 9th century. Collectors are always seeking Chinese paper money due to its rich history and value, and this is a currency that is very unique. Although it is nearly impossible to find many of these notes outside of a museum, Chinese paper money is very popular and if you can get your hands on a note, you may have a treasure on your hands.

Chinese paper money was originally called “Flying Money” because it was so light, and if the owner did not hold on to it, it could easily blow away. The first notes were made from very delicate paper and they were used almost like IOUs. The owner would write down on the note what they were willing to pay for something, and the recipient could then take that to the bank to cash it. This bank draft system is very similar to our own checking system now.

Chinese paper money changed slightly when the Mongols took over. Instead of paper, the notes were then produced from silk and they were backed by a silk standard, much like the gold standard that would later be used in the Western hemisphere. This was a new idea, and in order to use the notes, the owner would have to actually deposit a set amount of silk yarn in the bank.

The silk form of Chinese paper money endured, and was used throughout the world. It has been discovered in far flung parts of the world by archeologists, but it is very rare to find any that are available to private collectors. After this period in Chinese history, the Ming Dynasty changed the currency, moving back towards paper.

The main problem they faced with this new Chinese paper money was that there was only one set denomination. This forced many to rely on coins since the notes were hard to use for smaller purchases. Due to these problems, paper money actually fell out of use and inflation rose. It wasn’t until modern times that paper money would return and become widespread.

We can thank the Chinese for our current paper money system and their innovations which are centuries old are still in use today. Collectors of Chinese paper money will typically be able to find notes for sale from other private collectors or at auctions. The advent of the internet made it easier to locate many of these notes and business is booming on online auction sites.

For those interested in collecting Chinese paper money, it is best to find notes that are in good condition. The most common are the ones from the Ming Dynasty period, but every once in awhile you can find older notes. The paper is very thin, so these notes should be treated with extreme care and sealed off from air and dust. They are an important part of monetary collectibles and should be treasured as such by collectors.

Photo Credits: kevindooley

Originally posted 2008-09-29 14:00:46. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• 3 Steps to Help You Find Old Paper Money There are some collectors who are not content with the newest currency on the market – they want to find the old paper money that is highly sought after. This type of paper currency can be incredibly difficult to find, simply because paper money does not stand up to the......
• How To Quickly Start a Paper Money Collection For some, currency collecting is a slow and deliberate process that takes years of work and research to form. For others, a paper money and paper currency collection is a quick hobby that eventually grows into a lasting hobby after a fierce and focused start. If you are looking to......
• Tips on Paper Money Collecting for Beginners Collecting paper money is something that a lot of people enjoy doing. It is fun to learn about the history of the money while you are collecting it. It is also interesting whenever you are able to find a new piece in a strange place. Collecting the currency is one......
• Get to Know Antique Paper Money Collecting One of the hottest new trends in the world of collecting is antique paper money collecting. This hobby has seen a recent increase in popularity because of some of the recent reality based shows set in pawn shops. Many of these shows have featured episodes in which individuals have brought......
• How to Get Started with Collecting Paper Money Often, there are two different kinds of collectors. There are those that collect paper money as well as those that collect coins. There are a few that collect both, but these are rare. The most common currency collector collects coins. This is because there are far more coins to collect......

• How to Connect with Other Paper Money Collectors Whenever you are collecting anything, you will need to be able to have a good source to buy and sell from. There are many different sources which will help you to be able to get the items that you want to have in your collection. Of course, the best ways......
• The Ease of Collecting New Paper Money Collecting money is something that a lot of people find a lot of joy in. Part of the joy is being able to find all of the different pieces that you want to add to your collection. This often means scouting out old pieces which have changed hands several times.......
• Have More Fun Finding Old Paper Money There are many different ways that you will be able to enjoy collecting money. Among the different ways that you will be able to enjoy collecting money is to choose between whether you want to collect coins or paper money. Once you know which ones you want to collect, you......
• How to Be Successful at Collecting Old Paper Money There are plenty of currency collectors who focus in on coin collecting and fail to think about collecting old paper money. This is incredibly unfortunate, as paper money can be one of the more interesting collections to have. Paper currency helps to bring about interest and variety to a collection.......
• Should I Collect Coins or Paper Money? If you are thinking about starting a collection of your own you are going to need to think about your theme – coin collecting or paper money collecting? While some will choose both, most are going to try to stay within one specific theme. There are some positives and negatives......

• Turkey Europe Coins: World Coins & Paper Money
• World Scripophily Coins & Paper Money
• Gold Certificates Small Size Notes Paper Money: US Coins & Paper Money
• Poland Foreign Silver Silver Bullion Coins & Paper Money
• Seated Liberty (1838-91) Quarters Coins: US Coins & Paper Money

Antiques -> Asian -> Chinese

If you are interested in a unique Asian collectible that is sure to get plenty of discussions going, antique Chinese parrots are an excellent choice. These delightful decorative collectibles come in many different shapes and styles and many are vibrantly colored and well designed. Most antique Chinese parrots are hand painted and very detailed works of art that can enhance any personal collection. Before you start collecting antique parrots, here is what you need to know.

1. Authenticity is key

While decorative collectibles are fun to look at it, if you’re in this business to acquire valuable pieces of art, authenticity is definitely key. There are a lot of mass produced collectibles out there that are pretty, but have no value above their sticker price. When you want to buy authentic antique Chinese collectibles, make sure that they are authentic. You can do this by hiring an appraiser, or by looking for special maker’s marks on the bottom of the piece.

Condition is important

Chipped or cracked collectibles instantly lose their value. If you are buying an antique Chinese parrot online, make sure that the seller provides you with many different pictures that cover all the angles of the piece. If you can’t see the item well, ask for a clearer picture. This is the best way to make sure that you are getting a piece that is in good condition. If you are shopping in person, hold the piece up the light and take the time to really examine it. This can mean the difference between a collectible that is worth thousands, or one that is worth $5.

Look for certain eras

Antique Chinese parrots were more popular during some eras in Chinese history than others. It pays to do your research on the different dynasties and learn how the various parrots were produced during each era. This will help you build a collection that is either based around design similarity or that is based by era. If you are serious about building a specific collection around a dynasty, this is a very important step to take.

Look for fading paint

This is natural, especially with older antique Chinese parrots, but it can have an impact on the overall value of the piece. Ideally, you should be looking for one that is in near perfect condition. One of the easiest ways to tell the age of a piece is to look for how worn the paint is. This is probably the one time where the condition may not count against the piece. If there is a small area of worn paint, that should not impact the value too much. However, a piece that is very faded may need to be restored. This can have an adverse effect on the value.

Collecting antique Chinese parrots can be fun and educational. These brightly colored pieces have a lot of history and are at home in any place or private collection where antiques are appreciated and loved.

Photo Credits: uwdigitalcollections

Originally posted 2008-10-03 05:00:18. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Chinese Antique Jade Antiques -> Asian -> Chinese Chinese antique jade isn't just beautiful in its own right, but carries a deep cultural significance for the Chinese people. Historically, it was used for jewelry, in religious ceremonies, culturally, monetarily, and was believed to hold great mystical and healing powers. Today, it's still an......
• How to Identify Antique Items You already know that an antique is something that is no less than 100 years old, but how exactly can you be certain that the particular piece you are looking at was truly crafted that long ago? Learning to identify antiques is not difficult, it just takes a little bit......
• The Benefits of Antiques Insurance If you have a collection of antiques, collectibles or fine art, then you may find yourself wondering about insurance coverage, and how antiques insurance can possibly be used to cover your needs and ensure that your cherished items are protected. In general, antiques insurance is tricky because placing a value......
• Antique Collection Some people falsely believe that the passion for accumulating a variety of antique treasures in an antique collection is an addiction, such as being a pack rat, but this is not actually true. The truth about going antiquing is that while it may be infectious, it is certainly not a......
• Online Antiques Auctions According purely to definition, antiques are described as being any object that has a collectible value and that is more than 100 years in age. There are a number of different antiques auction websites that are designed to sell these types of antique items online. Some of these websites specialize......

• Incorporating Your Family in Coin Collecting One of the best things that you can do for your coin collection is to involve others. This does not mean simply showing other the coins that you have purchased – it means actually incorporating your family into the coin collecting process. Coin collecting is simply more fun when others......
• How to Become a Better Coin Collector There are millions of people around the world who consider themselves to be coin collectors. The general term can truly apply to anyone with an interest in coins, grouping together those who are serious about collecting and those who simply collect coins randomly. In the world of more professional and......
• How to Start Coin Collecting The hobby of coin collecting often starts at a very young age. Children are fascinated by the different sizes, colors and feel of coins. If they show an interest in collecting coins, parents should encourage them to pursue the hobby. A child might start out by collecting coins from their......
• How to Get Started Collecting British Paper Money There are many different kinds of paper money that can be collected. In fact, ever since paper money was first used, it has been collected by royalty and commoners alike. Those who enjoy collecting foreign currency appreciate collecting British paper money for a few different reasons. One reason is because......
• 4 Tips on Inspecting Paper Money Before a Purchase If you think that collecting paper money is the same as collecting coins, think again. Paper money is a different world, as far as collecting is concerned. While values and basics stay the same, issues like counterfeiting and inspecting change. There are certain things that you must look for when......

• Obis Japanese 1900-Now Asian Cultures, Ethnicities Collectibles
• Stereoviews Antique (Pre-1940) Photographic Images Collectibles
• Japanese Asian Antiques
• Grandfather Antique (Pre-1930) Clocks Collectibles
• Snuff Bottles Chinese Asian Antiques