解读明代藩王府银锭

Interpretation of Ming Dynasty Princes'Silver Scyee

明代处于一个西方世界不断向外拓展的特殊历史时期。由于美洲银矿的发现,大量美洲白银源源不断地流入中国,致使原以铜钱为主的明代币制发生了变化。自明代中期开始,白银逐渐成为主要货币,这在政府的赋税领域体现得尤为突出。在已发现的明代银锭中,有一类很特别,据其上铭文可知,是政府征收的赋税折银,并支付给藩王府的宗禄。这些藩王府银锭正是明代币制转变的缩影。

During the Ming dynasty huge amounts of silver were transported to China from north America,which leads to the change of Ming's currency system,from copper to silver standard.As a result,taxation were paid in silver since mid-16th century.The Ming court provided various types of silver,in the form of sycees,to its princes across the empire as their income came from the imperial family directly.This essay discusses the origin and usage of these sycees,as well as how these sycees were found.