The value of silver in ancient times: how much RMB is equivalent to one liang of silver?
2024-05-04 14:16:30 中文版

In ancient China, silver was one of the main forms of currency, and its value varied in different historical periods. So, what was the value of one liang of silver in ancient times? And how can it be converted into modern Chinese yuan?

First, we need to understand that silver in ancient times was measured in liangs, with one liang approximately equal to 37.3 grams. However, due to historical factors such as silver mining, wars, and trade, the value of silver varied significantly in different historical periods. For example, in the early Ming Dynasty, the value of one liang of silver was approximately equivalent to 100 Chinese yuan today, while at the end of the Ming Dynasty, due to war and increased silver mining, the value of one liang of silver may have been only around 30 Chinese yuan.

Secondly, the value of ancient silver was also affected by the technology of silver mining and trade policies. For example, during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, due to the implementation of the Maritime Prohibition Policy, overseas trade was restricted, and the supply of silver decreased, leading to an increase in its value. However, after the mid-Qing Dynasty, with the resumption of overseas trade and advances in silver mining technology, the supply of silver increased, and its value decreased accordingly.

So, how do we convert ancient silver into modern Chinese yuan? This requires considering factors such as economic conditions, price levels, and currency purchasing power in historical periods. One commonly used method is to compare grain prices between ancient and modern times. For example, in the early Ming Dynasty, the price of one shi of grain was approximately one liang of silver, while now, the price of one shi of grain is approximately 200 Chinese yuan. Therefore, we can roughly estimate that the value of one liang of silver in the early Ming Dynasty was approximately equivalent to 200 Chinese yuan today.

However, this method can only provide a rough estimate because economic conditions and price levels in history are very complex and are also influenced by various factors such as regional differences and political factors. Therefore, for the value of ancient silver, we can only give a rough range rather than a precise figure.

Overall, the value of one liang of silver in ancient times varied greatly in different historical periods and was influenced by various factors. We can roughly estimate its value by comparing grain prices between ancient and modern times, but this can only provide a general range and not a precise figure.

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