CHINESE PAPER MONEY
Chinese paper money actually came about as an offshoot of China’s ability to block print and such form of money began in Tang dynasty though it was institutionalized under the Song dynasty. This kind of money was better than money made from copper, gold, iron and silver since one could carry it about more conveniently and it also allowed the Chinese people to use their copper and also iron for other purposes.
The Chinese paper money had names as well as seals printed as well as written on the currency and this was done by the issuing government officials. Unfortunately, the written documents used during these early days have been lost and so the picture is not clear as to how during the Yuan period this paper currency system actually worked. However, Marco Polo was most impressed by the use of paper money by the Chinese as far back as the thirteenth century and he has left a record of how such paper money was made, and used as well as valued.