1/2 Liang Pre-Qin

The State of Qin adopted the ban liang system as part of the sweeping administrative reforms associated with Shang Yang, whose reorganization of Qin's legal, military, and fiscal structures during the 350s BC laid the bureaucratic groundwork for eventual unification of China in 221 BC. This half-liang denomination predates the canonical round-with-square-hole ban liang by several decades and reflects a transitional monetary policy — Qin was simultaneously discarding the knife and spade money used by rival states while standardizing weight-based bronze coinage within its own borders.

Hartill 7.5 specimens vary considerably in fabric and casting quality, consistent with early production before the Qin mint infrastructure was fully centralized.