By the time the Western Han Dynasty started ruling China, the empire had its monetary economy already developed. People of China paid in coins taxes, fees and salaries. The empire was already issuing about 220 million coins each year. The History of Han states that the period of Western Han Dynasty domination proved to be a wealthy one:
"The granaries in the cities and the countryside were full and the government treasuries were running over with wealth. In the capital the strings of cash had been stacked up by the hundreds of millions until the cords that bound them had rotted away and they could no longer be counted."
Besides the first Chinese coins, called Ban Liang, there were also two other types of coins, issued during the Western Han period. The inscription on these coins stated their weight. These coins were:
San Zhu – meaning "Three Zhu", was a coin that weighted 1.95 grams. This ancient Chinese coin was struck either in the period between 140 and 136 BC, or between 119 and 118 BC. However, the second date is most often used as the coin's release date. The period of San Zhu coins, can be presented as a intermediary between the period when Ban Ling were struck and before the issue of the Wu Shu coins. San Zhu coins are extremely rare, they are met as often as the Da Quan Dang Qian coins of Wu.
Wu Zhu – meaning "Five Zhu", a coin that weighted 3.25 grams. For the first time this type of coins was struck in 118 BC. The Wu Shu inscription of the Chinese coins has been since used by many reigns on their coins during the next seven centuries. The Wu Shu coins issued during the Western Han period featured a square top found on the right part of zhu. Coins struck later had this top round shaped.
Jun Guo Wu Zhu – this coin was struck in the period between 118 and 115 BC. Jun Guo Wu Zhu is believed to be the earliest type of Wu Zhu coins. It was a large and heavy coin and its edges were not filed. The History of Han says that in 118 BC the Jun (commanderies) and Guo (principalities) were given order to cast 5 zhu coins that would feature a circular rim. This was made for assuring that no one would clip the coins to get a piece of copper.
The Han Dynasty was parted into nine administrative divisions, called Zhou. These divisions were managed by Inspectors. Afterwards came commanderies and kingdoms. The main distinction between the two was that a kingdom was a commandery, which was chosen to be an imperial fiefdom for a member of the Chinese royal family. This imperial fiefdom was controlled by the Grand Administrators and Chancellors, respectively. Then there were countries, called Xian and marquisates, called Hou. These were headed by Chiefs, also called Prefects, and Chancellors. The distinction between the two is similar, i. e. the marquisates represented counties that were chosen as fiefdoms for people not coming from the royal family.
Chi Ze Wu Zhu – a lighter coin than the Jun Guo Wu Shu, struck in the period between 115 and 113 BC. Such ancient Chinese coin featured filed edges and according to the History of Han, in 115 BC the Chinese mints located in the capital of the empire were ordered to cast Chi Ze coins. One of such coins had a value of five local coins. It was requested that only these coins to be in circulation. Chi Ze is translated as Red Edge (or Shining Edge), which refers to the red copper.
Shang Lin San Guan Wu Zhu – a coin that was issued throughout 113 BC. During this time the minting was under the control of central authorities. Generally the obverse of these coins has a raised rim found on the top of the hole. Shang Lin San Guan Wu Zhu had a very high quality. The name of this type of Chinese coins derives from the three offices of Shang Lin Park. These were: Office for Coinage, the Office for Sorting Copper, and the Office of Price Equalization.
Ji Mu Wu Zhu – the first two characters are translated as "Chicken Eye". This is due to the fact that they are very small in size (just like the chicken eyes). A number of this type of coins was discovered in Western Han tombs, which data back to 73 - 33 BC. During this period there were several rulers in China, including Emperor Zhao, Liu Fuling, Emperor Xuan, Liu Xun and Emperor Yuan, Liu Shi.
Si Chu Wu Zhu – the first two characters are translated as "Four Conrner". Such name derives from the fact that there are 4 lines on the coin's reverse that exude from the corners of the hole. Such coins were issued in 186 AD, during the period of Emperor Ling, a representative of the Eastern Han Dynasty. It is believed that the four lines on the coin refer to wealth that flows from a broken down city, which represents prophecy of the defeat of the Han Dynasty.
Shu Wu Zhu – on the obverse these ancient Chinese coins feature the inscription that states "Chuan". They may also include the numbers 1-32 found on the reverse. It is believed that Shu Wu Zhu were struck by the Kingdom of Shu, which ruled in the period between 221 and 265 AD.
Shen Lang Wu Zhu – the first two characters are translated as "Lord Shen's". It is believed that this Chinese coin was struck during the rule of Shen Chong of the House of Wu. Shen Lang Wu Zhu was issued after Eastern Jin Dynasty was founded, event which occurred in 317.
Dang Liang Wu Zhu – the first two characters mean "Worth Two". This type represents an ancient Chinese large thick coin, the weight of which was 8 zhu. The coin was struck during the reign of Emperor Wen of the Southern Dynasties Song Dynasty. The emperor issued this ancient Chinese coin in 447. It was a measure against the mismanagement of coining.
Tian Jian Wu Zhu – when the Liang Dynasty was founded, people could use coins only around the capital. Other regions had to apply to barter trade, mainly grain and cloth. People living in the southern part of the empire used gold and silver. This was the main reason why in 502, during the Tian Jian period, the Emperor Wu started minting Wu Zhu coins, featuring an outer and inner rim. In addition, the emperor struck coins that didn't include rim; such coins were called female coins. Both types of coins were used for trade.
Liang Zhu Wu Zhu – the first two characters mean "Two Pillar". This coin was minted in 552, during the reign of Emperor Yuan of the Liang Dynasty. The coin was struck with the intention of providing an equivalent for ten simple coins. There is a dot above and one below the hole found on the coin's obverse.
Si Zhu Wu Zhu – the last two characters mean "Four Pillar". This coin was minted in 557, during the reign of Emperor Jing of the Liang Dynasty. The coin was struck with the intention of providing an equivalent for twenty simple coins. Shortly after it was struck the coins was worth one. There are two dots found on the coin's obverse and reverse. Although the date of issue is considered to be 557, a number of such coins were found in tombs, being of an earlier date of issue.
Chen Wu Zhu – this coin features a solid outer rim and there is no inner rim. The upper part of the zhu component had a square shape and the lower part is round. The coin was struck in 562, during the reign of Emperor Wen of the Southern Dynasties Chen Dynasty. The value of this Chinese coin was 10 small goose-eye coins.
Yong Ping Wu Zhu – featuring long and thin characters, this coin was struck during the reign of Emperor Xuan of the Northern Wei Dynasty. This was the period of Yong Ping.
Da Tong Wu Zhu – this ancient Chinese coin is believed to be minted during the reign of Emperor Wen of the Western Wei Dynasty, which is the Datong period.
Western Wei Wu Zhu – Earlier this coin was believed to be minted by the Sui Dynasty. However, a number of coins of this type were discovered inside the tomb of Hou Yi of the Western Wei, dating back to the period of 535-56.
Sui Wu Zhu – for the first time this coin was struck in 581, during the reign of Emperor Wen. In 584 the emperor ordered that all old coins are no longer used in circulation. Those who disobeyed served as the reason why officials who were responsible for violations of the rule to pay a fine of half their year salary. The weight of a thousand Sui Wu Zhu coins was 4 jin 2 liang. During this period there were a number of benefits provided to several imperial princes.
Bai Qian Wu Zhu – the first two characters mean "white coin". This ancient Chinese coin has a whitish color due to the fact that lead and tin was added to the alloy. The alloy officially started to be applied in 585.
Yan Huan Wu Zhu – the first two characters are translated as Fringe or Thread Ring. This Chinese coin is in fact the same Wu Zhu, the middle of which has been cut out in order to create two coins.
Zao Bian Wu Zhu – the last two characters are translated as Chiselled Rim. This type of coin represents the inner part of Wu Zhu the outer part of which was extracted in order to make a Thread Ring.
