Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champa; Vol. II: Suvarnadvipa) v2.c20.s2.84

v2.c20.s2.84

The Chinese authorities give us valuable information regarding the coinage of Java. According to Ling-wai-tai-ta (1178 A.D.), "they cast coins in an alloy of copper, silver, white copper, and tin; sixty of these coins are equal to one tael of gold; thirty-two are equal to half a tael of gold."⁴ Chau Ju-kua, who quotes the above passage in his account of Sho-po, says, in connection with Su-ki-tan, that the people use as medium of trade, pieces of alloyed silver, cut into bits like dice, and bearing the seal of the Fan-Kuan stamped upon it. The expression Fan-Kaun means "foreign official", probably the resident headman of the foreign settlement, and the silver-dice referred to above were probably made by the Arab traders⁵. This kind of coin is apparently referred to by both Ma-Tuan-lin and Sung-Shi when they say: "They cut up leaves of silver to make coins for business purposes."⁶ The name 'silver coin' is, however, given in Tai-i Chih-lio to the coins of the first variety made of an alloy of silver, tin, lead and copper. From the same authority we learn that these coins were used in business transactions in exchange for Chinese copper cash.⁷ Ma Huan also refers to the use of Chinese copper cash.⁸ The passage quoted above from Chau Ju-kua in connection with pepper-trade also shows the great demand of Chinese copper cash in Java.