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Belt & Road Ancient Coins and Maritime Trade Seminar (In Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of the HKSAR)

2022-08-23

MSRS organized the “Belt & Road Ancient Coins and Maritime Trade” Seminar on 23 August to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of the HKSAR and invited the Chairman of the Chinese Coin Club, Mr Hung Yun Yuen, to share the history and knowledge of ancient coins. Dr Au Chi Kin, Assistant Professor of the Department of History of Hong Kong Shue Yan University, was the voluntary guest host to speak on the maritime trade. The Principal of Catholic Ming Yuen Secondary School, Ms Yuen Yuk Lan, was the honourable guest in the discussion session.

Dr Au first introduced the silver route and maritime trade in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and the globalization of silver during the period. The demand for silver in China kept increasing due to the use of silver coins in trade with Europe, which eventually led to the demise of the Qing Dynasty after the Opium War. Mr Hung shared the history of Chinese money, from shell coins to sword coins, to the unification of currency in the Qin Dynasty. Then the mainstream became square-hole bronze coins, until the emergence of silver coins in the Qing Dynasty. Mr Hung also generously shared his antique collection, which was an eye-opener for everyone. Lastly, Ms Yuen shared her views on history education in Hong Kong and hoped that students could go out for exchange after the pandemic.

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