Chinese Money

An image of a blue carboard lid propped up. In front there is a silver nub and a silver boat.
Money from the Eldon House collection

Country of Origin: China 
Year: ca. 1897 
Materials: Silver and paper  

The Harris’ 1897 world tour took them to east China where they purchased this souvenir, a model of a Qin Dynasty sycee. Sycee’s were used for monetary exchange and were made by gold or silversmiths, meaning that they are unique. The most common shapes are squares or ovals, but boat shapes one, like this artifact, were also common. The Harris sycee also has more silver pieces including a small ball coin that sits inside the sycee. The case for the money is a small paper one with a painted nature scene.  

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron. We honour and respect the history, languages and culture of the diverse Indigenous people who call this territory home.

We acknowledge all the treaties that are specific to this area: the Two Row Wampum Belt Treaty of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy/Silver Covenant Chain; the Beaver Hunting Grounds of the Haudenosaunee NANFAN Treaty of 1701; the McKee Treaty of 1790, the London Township Treaty of 1796, the Huron Tract Treaty of 1827, with the Anishinaabeg, and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum of the Anishnaabek and Haudenosaunee.

The three Indigenous Nations that are neighbours to London are the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation; Oneida Nation of the Thames; and the Munsee-Delaware Nation who all continue to live as sovereign Nations with individual and unique languages, cultures, and customs.