Copper Coins and the Emperor's Wallet: The Role of Currency in Ming China
| Author | : Sui-Wai Cheung |
| Publisher | : BRILL |
| Total Pages | : 185 |
| Release | : 2023-10-20 |
| ISBN-10 | : 9789004687530 |
| ISBN-13 | : 900468753X |
| Rating | : 4/5 (53X Downloads) |
Download or read book Copper Coins and the Emperor's Wallet: The Role of Currency in Ming China written by Sui-Wai Cheung and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2023-10-20 with total page 185 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Sui-Wai Cheung’s study of the institutional history of copper coins in the Ming dynasty reveals how emperors and statesmen perceived and used the copper coins at their disposal. In this process, he uncovers the reality of the Sons of Heaven, showing that although Ming emperors seemed to have unlimited power, they could not afford the upkeep on their palace. In this revealing history of Ming China, Cheung argues that especially after the breakdown of the household registration system, the aim of the Ming coinage system was to create a new source of income in order to maintain the emperor's domain in Beijing.