Ming Paper Money
OriginChina
First Minted1375
MaterialPaper
TypeCurrency
About Ming Paper Money
The earliest surviving paper money, issued by the Ming Dynasty. The Hongwu Emperor issued these notes as the worlds first government backed paper currency. Made from mulberry bark paper. Featured a string of cash coins and the inscription Great Ming Note. Inflation destroyed the system by 1450. The notes are now rare and valuable. Marco Polo described Chinese paper money but the earliest surviving examples are Ming Dynasty.
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