A
cache with a huge amount of coins of the Song Dynasty (960-1279)
has been found in Anguo City, north China's Hebei Province.
For the first time a coins cache has
been discovered in Hebei, with such a large category and amount
of coins. The cache will shed light on the study of the ancient
coins of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) and is of value
to the study of the economy and culture in the Northern Song
Dynasty.
The cache was found in a construction
site in the Xingan Community in Anguo City. Archeologists
carried out a complete excavation of the cache. Coins in 18
layers were put in order in the interior of the cache 3.1
meters from the ground surface.
Because of weathering, coins were seriously
corroded, with some even strung together.
Archaeologists unearthed about 400 kg
of coins from the cache. Preliminary excavation shows that
most of the coins were made in the Northern Song Dynasty,
with a small part made in the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
Almost 20 kinds of the coins made throughout
the Northern Song Dynasty are available in the cache.
(Xinhua 04/03/2001)