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QING: LOT of 10 tally sticks

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Chinese Coins - Group Lots Start Price:70.00 USD Estimated At:100.00 - 200.00 USD
QING: LOT of 10 tally sticks
SOLD
130.00USD+ (26.00) buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2023 Sep 17 @ 14:41UTC-7 : PDT/MST
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QING: LOT of 10 tally sticks, including long rectangular tokens in bamboo (6 pcs) and bone (4), a very interesting group, average quality, retail value $250, lot of 10 tokens. From the late 1800's to the turbulent early years of the Republic, there was a shortage of official government-issued currency in many parts of China. Private banks and large businesses subsequently began to issue their own "money." One form of local currency that was particular to Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shandong was made from bamboo. Variously known as "bamboo tallies", "bamboo tokens" or "bamboo money", this type of money was commonly used in stores, restaurants, teahouses, and even brothels, even though it lacks the intrinsic value of gold, silver or bronze coins and was not backed by anything other than people's trust in the establishment that issued it.