Tiền Thời Hồ Quý Ly
X.
PAPER-MONEY IN ANNAM.
Shortly after the introduction into China by the Mongols of
paper money, it also circulated in Annam. In 1397 Ge-neral
HO QUI-LY, the real ruler of Annam under King THIEU-DE,
prohibited the circulation of copper coins and ordered that
paper-money only, called Thong-bao-hoi-sau, should be
used. This paper-money had a design. peculiar to each different
class, indicating its exchange value for the copper coins which
it had just supplanted.
The paper-money of the value of 10 cash was marked with the
design of grass.
| That of |
30 |
cash with |
waves. |
| " |
60 |
" " |
clouds. |
| " |
120 |
" " |
turtle. |
| " |
180 |
" " |
unicorn. |
| " |
300 |
" " |
phoenix. |
| " |
600 |
" " |
dragon. |
The Government made great efforts to ensure the circulation
of this paper-money, and impose it on the people. To that end it
was ordered that all copper coins in circulation should be taken
to the Treasuries, where the value of one string and two tien of
paper-money was given for one string of cash. The forgery of
paper-money was punished with death by decapitation, and there
were also severe penalties imposed on those who had copper coins
in their possession.
But in spite of those orders and restrictions, paper-money
soon fell into discredit and the old copper coins circulated
freely. In fact the very General HO QUI-LY ordered copper cash
to be cast when he rebelled and usurped the Royal autliority.
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