A numismatic album entitled "China's Grand History --A Collection of Coins from All Dynasties" has come on the market.
Friday's Beijing Youth Daily reported that each album includes 272 ancient coins and more than 1,000 pictures with detailed captions. The series has taken 100 specialists ten years to complete.
The album covers 4,000 years in Chinese history, ranging from the Shang Dynasty (1,600-1,100 BC) to the Republic of China (1912-1949), said the newspaper.
The album of a limited edition was compiled by Jinquan Numismatics and Culture Co, Ltd based in Xi'an, where the famous terra-cotta warriors and horses of the Mausoleum of the Qinshihuang, founder of Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC), are located.
According to the newspaper, only 2,000 albums are to be distributed, with each costing 48,000 yuan (US$5,783).
(eastday.com January 4, 2002)