Here are the key highlights of ancient Chinese coinage featuring its evolution and unique characteristics: 1. Natural cowrie shells & early cowrie imitations in clay, bones, and bronze. These were the earliest form of medium of exchange used between BC1600 - 256. 2. Money in the shape of tools, used during the Spring & Autumn Period between BC770 - 476, 3. Standard round coins with holes (eventually square holes) in the centre used during the Warring States to the Qin Dynasty between BC350 - 206. 4.Standard round coins with 4 characters. Two of these characters have the inscriptions "Yuan Bao" or Tong Bao" which means "Circulating Treasure". These format 1st introduced during the Tang Dynasty. remained in used for more than a 1,000 years until the end of the Qing Dynasty in 1912.