Skip to main content

Primary sourceArtifactc. 206–195 BC

Early Han Ban Liang coin

Han mints · c. 206–195 BC

A bronze Ban Liang coin from the early Han dynasty, reflecting Gaozu's decision to allow lighter coins than those used under the Qin.

Represents Gaozu's policy of easing Qin-era economic controls by allowing lighter coins to circulate.

Ask Liu Bang (Gaozu of Han) about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Two views of a corroded green-brown bronze coin with a square central hole. The left side shows raised characters and a small cross-like mark near the hole; the right side is plainer with a square hole and worn surface, on dark fabric.
Ban Liang coin, early Han dynasty, c. 206–195 BC (this example from 188–180 BCE).

About this source

What it is

This is a bronze Ban Liang coin cast during the early Han dynasty, with a square central hole typical of Chinese cash coins. Ban Liang coins continued in use from the Qin dynasty into the Han, before being replaced by Wu Zhu coins later on. This particular coin dates to a period after Gaozu, during the regency of Empress Dowager Lü Zhi.

Why it matters

Emperor Gaozu allowed lighter versions of the Ban Liang coin to be cast instead of the heavier coins used under the Qin, loosening the strict economic controls of the previous dynasty. This small object reflects a real policy choice made at the founding of the Han dynasty, showing how Gaozu tried to ease the burdens of Qin rule on ordinary people.

Look closer

  • What can the design and weight of a coin tell us about the economic policy of a dynasty?
  • Why might a new ruler want to change the currency inherited from the previous government?
  • What continued between the Qin and Han dynasties, and what changed?

This artifact is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Liu Bang (Gaozu of Han) on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Liu Bang (Gaozu of Han) sources

Meet the AI Liu Bang (Gaozu of Han) →
Two painted panels of a Western Han tomb mural in wooden frames, showing figures in a banquet scene: at top, seated and standing people with pale robes and red-purple accents; below, two standing figures with swords or weapons and a figure in a bent pose at right.Painting

Secondary source

Feast at Hong Gate

Sima Qian (text); unknown painter (mural) · 206 BCE (event); mural Western Han period

Several old Chinese books with open pages and paper labels reading 明刻本 (Ming edition) are displayed in a glass case. Pages show dense vertical columns of printed characters. Stacks of more volumes sit behind them.Book

Secondary source

Book of Han

Ban Gu (with Ban Zhao and Ban Biao) · finished 111 CE

A large grassy earthen mound rises against a pale sky, with a dirt path zigzagging up its right side. In the foreground, rows of young conifers and deciduous trees border a dirt track.Artifact

Primary source

Changling Mausoleum of Emperor Gaozu

Han imperial court · c. 202–195 BC

Museum display panel titled Classics with Chinese and English text describing Chu bamboo slips held by Shanghai Museum and Han bamboo slips of He Lu from Zhangjiashan. Bundles of bamboo slips with ink characters are mounted beside the text, labeled a, b, c and listed below.Document

Primary source

Zhangjiashan Han bamboo texts

Western Han officials · c. 202–186 BCE

A large brown sign with gold Chinese characters and English text reading 'Archaeological Park of Weiyang Palace in Chang'an City of the Western Han Dynasty' stands on a grass lawn under a blue sky with clouds and trees behind it.Artifact

Primary source

Weiyang Palace

Xiao He for Emperor Gaozu · 200 BC

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Liu Bang (Gaozu of Han) now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions