Banknote seal (China)
Encyclopedia
Cash seal is a kind of special seal used particularly in cash
authority, or just on paper money
or banknote
s. It was also one of first three means that China invented first to distinguish real and fake paper money.
The short name is Chao Yin , and the full name is Seal of Baochao , or Baochao Yinjian . The name can also be simply translated as "money seal" or "banknote seal".
, when China first used paper
-based money and governmental financial notes in a large scale.
In Song Dynasty, especially during Southern Song Dynasty, China's economy volume reached new height, and its oversea trading
was booming. The traditional copper
or iron
coin
s could not satisfy the demand of money circulation. Under this background, the paper money/banknote so called Jiaozi
(交子) was first appeared in China.
The paper money during that time was officially issued and printed by Song government. But when a lot of paper money printed out and circulated through the society in a large scale, one very serious problem was the appearance of counterfeit money
(making fake paper money was illegal and could meet serious punishments including the death penalty). The Song government founded a specialized government department to issue, print, authorize cash, and handle with those fake banknotes and fake money, especially those fake paper ones. It was the first time to found a department of such kind. The Song government also made a kind of special governmental seal, to stamp on every paper money, normally in the center of a money piece, so that people could easily distinguish real money and fake one. Those fake ones nominally lacked such stamp (normally red, occasionally black or purple), or, with fake seal stamps of less quality than the government's seal.
In Ming
and Qing Dynasties' paper money and banknotes, this kind of seals and stamps are often seen. They proves the authenticity of a banknote or paper money. As late as Xianfeng Era
(咸豐) of Qing Dynasty, people still could see such red seal stamps on paper money.
In Ming Dynasty, a special government department named Baochao Ju (寳鈔局 / 宝钞局) or Baochao Bureau, was established to handle the cash affairs of the whole country, and the department had the authority to use this kind of special seal.
or organization
.
In the era of the Republic of China
, sometimes people called these seal stamps Yinhang Yin (銀行印/银行印; direct translation: the seal stamp of bank, or just "bank seal").
In Japan
, the called Ginko In (Japanese: 銀行印) has quite similar characteristics.
Cash
In common language cash refers to money in the physical form of currency, such as banknotes and coins.In bookkeeping and finance, cash refers to current assets comprising currency or currency equivalents that can be accessed immediately or near-immediately...
authority, or just on paper money
Paper Money
Paper Money is the second album by the band Montrose. It was released in 1974 and was the band's last album to feature Sammy Hagar as lead vocalist.-History:...
or banknote
Banknote
A banknote is a kind of negotiable instrument, a promissory note made by a bank payable to the bearer on demand, used as money, and in many jurisdictions is legal tender. In addition to coins, banknotes make up the cash or bearer forms of all modern fiat money...
s. It was also one of first three means that China invented first to distinguish real and fake paper money.
The short name is Chao Yin , and the full name is Seal of Baochao , or Baochao Yinjian . The name can also be simply translated as "money seal" or "banknote seal".
History
Such kind of seal first appeared in Song DynastySong Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
, when China first used paper
Paper
Paper is a thin material mainly used for writing upon, printing upon, drawing or for packaging. It is produced by pressing together moist fibers, typically cellulose pulp derived from wood, rags or grasses, and drying them into flexible sheets....
-based money and governmental financial notes in a large scale.
In Song Dynasty, especially during Southern Song Dynasty, China's economy volume reached new height, and its oversea trading
International trade
International trade is the exchange of capital, goods, and services across international borders or territories. In most countries, such trade represents a significant share of gross domestic product...
was booming. The traditional copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
or iron
Iron
Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26. It is a metal in the first transition series. It is the most common element forming the planet Earth as a whole, forming much of Earth's outer and inner core. It is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust...
coin
Coin
A coin is a piece of hard material that is standardized in weight, is produced in large quantities in order to facilitate trade, and primarily can be used as a legal tender token for commerce in the designated country, region, or territory....
s could not satisfy the demand of money circulation. Under this background, the paper money/banknote so called Jiaozi
Jiaozi (currency)
Jiaozi is a form of banknote which appeared around 10th century in the Sichuan capital of Chengdu, China. Most numismatists generally regard it as the first paper money in history, a development of the Chinese Song Dynasty ....
(交子) was first appeared in China.
The paper money during that time was officially issued and printed by Song government. But when a lot of paper money printed out and circulated through the society in a large scale, one very serious problem was the appearance of counterfeit money
Counterfeit money
Counterfeit money is currency that is produced without the legal sanction of the state or government to resemble some official form of currency closely enough that it may be confused for genuine currency. Producing or using counterfeit money is a form of fraud or forgery. Counterfeiting is probably...
(making fake paper money was illegal and could meet serious punishments including the death penalty). The Song government founded a specialized government department to issue, print, authorize cash, and handle with those fake banknotes and fake money, especially those fake paper ones. It was the first time to found a department of such kind. The Song government also made a kind of special governmental seal, to stamp on every paper money, normally in the center of a money piece, so that people could easily distinguish real money and fake one. Those fake ones nominally lacked such stamp (normally red, occasionally black or purple), or, with fake seal stamps of less quality than the government's seal.
In Ming
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
and Qing Dynasties' paper money and banknotes, this kind of seals and stamps are often seen. They proves the authenticity of a banknote or paper money. As late as Xianfeng Era
Puyi
Puyi , of the Manchu Aisin Gioro clan, was the last Emperor of China, and the twelfth and final ruler of the Qing Dynasty. He ruled as the Xuantong Emperor from 1908 until his abdication on 12 February 1912. From 1 to 12 July 1917 he was briefly restored to the throne as a nominal emperor by the...
(咸豐) of Qing Dynasty, people still could see such red seal stamps on paper money.
In Ming Dynasty, a special government department named Baochao Ju (寳鈔局 / 宝钞局) or Baochao Bureau, was established to handle the cash affairs of the whole country, and the department had the authority to use this kind of special seal.
Modern time
In modern time, the usage of this kind of seal is not restricted only in government, and was already significantly enlarged. Those personal seals that can be used in private banknotes also appear, which can represent the trust, credit, or authority of a person, or, a companyCompany
A company is a form of business organization. It is an association or collection of individual real persons and/or other companies, who each provide some form of capital. This group has a common purpose or focus and an aim of gaining profits. This collection, group or association of persons can be...
or organization
Organization
An organization is a social group which distributes tasks for a collective goal. The word itself is derived from the Greek word organon, itself derived from the better-known word ergon - as we know `organ` - and it means a compartment for a particular job.There are a variety of legal types of...
.
In the era of the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
, sometimes people called these seal stamps Yinhang Yin (銀行印/银行印; direct translation: the seal stamp of bank, or just "bank seal").
In Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, the called Ginko In (Japanese: 銀行印) has quite similar characteristics.
Typical seals
In ancient China:- 大明寳鈔之印 / 大明宝钞之印 (traditional/simplifed Chinese); The Seal of Cash of the Great Ming.
- 大清寳鈔之印 / 大清宝钞之印; The Seal of Cash of the Great Qing.