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___ Yuanbao, Sycee, Ingot, Good Luck Coins Yuanbao (Sycee), Ingot, Good Luck Coins are symbols of prosperity and wealth. |
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YUANBAO The most common shape of a yuanbao is boat shaped, elliptic, oval, with a circular or oval little 'bump' in the middle. A yuanbao is a small metal ingot that was used in ancient China as money. Being made out of silver or gold, the value was determined by weight in taels, which is a weight measurement, part of the Chinese system of weights and currency (see also: baht). Yuanbaos were made by individual silversmiths for local exchange. Hence, the shape and amount of each yuanbao/ ingot were highly variable. The amount of each yuanbao/ ingot was detailed on its bottom, while the most common shapes were oval or square, but "boat", flower, tortoise and others shapes were known as well. Today- except for the fact that the Chinese currency is still called ‘yuan’ and ‘yuan’ translates to ‘round’- as in the shape of a coin- imitation yuanbaos are a symbol of prosperity, income and /or wealth, frequently seen as design or decoration on items in connection with Chinese New Year. INGOT COINS |
Sycee/Yuanbao ingots Photo © Valeska Gehrmann |
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