When we watch the costume dramas of the Qing Dynasty, we can often see that several eunuchs gave golden melon seeds to concubines in the harem, or that a minister made achievements, and the emperor was happy to reward some golden melon seeds. Therefore, the significance of golden melon seeds in the Qing Dynasty is that the emperor gave a reward to the favored concubines and ministers in order to show his great kindness. The amount of reward each time is not necessarily, but depends on the mood of the emperor and the merits and demerits of the rewarded person.
In fact, golden melon seeds existed in the Song, Yuan and Ming Dynasties. During this period, golden melon seeds were mainly used by some rich children, dignitaries and royalty. In the Qing dynasty, golden melon seeds became the imperial use of the emperor, and they were only used when the emperor rewarded others. Don't look at this little golden melon seed, but anyone who gets the golden melon seed award has unlimited honor and pride, and can prove his ability and win the favor of the emperor.
Moreover, in ancient times, even a golden melon seed was valuable and a symbol of wealth and status. The upper bureaucrats regard golden melon seeds as their treasures, which has nothing to do with the amount of money, because the symbolic meaning of golden melon seeds exceeds its own monetary value.
As for why the emperor used golden melon seeds as a reward, it may be because golden melon seeds are small in size but high in value. Grab it when you want to reward it, which is both weighty and convenient.