Why are ancient copper coins all in the shape of inner and outer circles?

Money is a special commodity, which is used for barter. As we all know, the earliest money was shells. With the development of mankind, the "currency" used for barter will inevitably develop. This needs to meet at least two requirements.

The first one can be carried and stored. This requires that "money" should not be afraid of losing or hiding, and can withstand the tests of various extreme environments and facilitate circulation.

Second, with the establishment of the country and political power, it should carry corresponding functions and represent the authority and culture of the country.

It is precisely because of these two demands that copper, a rich metal, has become the first choice for making coins. Gold and silver are stored less. Can only undertake the exchange of bulk commodities.

Since copper coins are chosen to represent the official authority and the will of the state, when minting coins, they must also reflect the external aesthetic and internal cultural inheritance endowed by the state power.

First, the sky is round.

As we all know, in China culture, there is a concept of a round place. Therefore, it will be reflected in coins, so almost all ancient copper coins are round, which meets the requirements of portability and safety, and also embodies the concept of "a round place"

There is a square hole in the middle, which stands for "place" and is also convenient for string connection.

Second, the gentleman's outer circle is inside.

This point originates from the circle, is a reminder of ancient etiquette and self-cultivation, and is the performance of "virtue". In a person's life, any rhetoric can be smooth and smooth, so as not to hurt each other's harmony, but the heart should be firm and angular, that is, there is a bottom line, right and wrong are clear and unambiguous.

For example, Confucius said: a gentleman can bully his party. Is that people are too honest and easy to be used.

Money belongs to "profit", and the so-called gentleman values righteousness over profit. Therefore, coins also follow the inside of the outer circle, which reflects this cultural connotation. At the same time, because ancient times was an agricultural civilization, agriculture was the mainstay, and the connotation of nature also met the needs of the country.

Roughly because of these two points, ancient coins are both outside and inside the circle. It is not only easy to carry and store, but also embodies the characteristics of ancient China culture.