# Silver Tael

> ancient silver currency in China

**Wikidata**: [Q10873349](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10873349)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/silver-tael

## Summary
The Silver Tael was an ancient silver currency used in China. It functioned as a medium of exchange for goods and services, historically valued by weight. This currency is classified as an instance of the broader concept of "currency."

## Key Facts
- **Instance Of**: Classified as a `currency`.
- **Core Description**: Described as an "ancient silver currency in China."
- **Global Documentation**: The concept is documented in Wikipedia across 2 language editions (`zh` for standard Chinese and `zh_yue` for Cantonese).
- **Sitelink Count**: The Wikidata entity has a `sitelink_count` of 2, reflecting its Wikipedia presence in these two languages.
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: Has the identifier `/g/1pv12fk5`.
- **Common Aliases**: Includes `silver tael currency`, `中国古代银币`, `兩銀`, `虚银两`, `銀兩`, and `中国古代银质货币`.

## FAQs
**What was the Silver Tael?**
The Silver Tael was a form of ancient Chinese money made from silver, used primarily as a medium of exchange. It was not a standardized coin but often a unit of weight for silver bullion used in commerce.

**How is the Silver Tael documented online?**
The entity has a defined presence in major knowledge bases like Wikidata and the Google Knowledge Graph. Its primary documentation exists in Chinese-language Wikipedia, specifically in both the standard Chinese (`zh`) and Cantonese (`zh_yue`) editions.

**What are other names for this currency?**
The Silver Tael is known by several aliases, including descriptive English terms like "silver tael currency" and various Chinese terms such as `中国古代银币` (Ancient Chinese Silver Coin), `兩銀`, `虚银两`, `銀兩`, and `中国古代银质货币` (Ancient Chinese Silver Currency).

## Why It Matters
The Silver Tael represents a significant chapter in the history of Chinese economics and trade. As a silver-based currency, it was central to domestic commerce and international exchange, particularly during periods when silver was the dominant monetary metal globally. Understanding this currency is key to grasping the evolution of monetary systems in China, from commodity money to more standardized forms, and its study provides insight into historical trade routes, economic policies, and the material culture of pre-modern China.

## Notable For
- **Historical Specificity**: It is explicitly defined as an *ancient* Chinese currency, distinguishing it from modern monetary units.
- **Material Composition**: It is specifically a *silver* currency, which was a foundational monetary metal in historical contexts.
- **Limited but Targeted Documentation**: While its Wikipedia coverage is limited to 2 languages (Chinese and Cantonese), this reflects its primary relevance within Sinophone cultural and historical studies.
- **Clear Conceptual Classification**: It is unambiguously categorized as an instance of `currency` within the knowledge base, anchoring it within a well-defined ontological framework.

## Body

### Core Definition and Classification
The entity "Silver Tael" is defined in its Wikidata description as an "ancient silver currency in China." Its primary classification is as an **instance of** the class `currency`. This places it within the same conceptual category as modern currencies like the US Dollar or Euro, but with the specific historical and material qualifiers of being ancient and silver-based.

### Global Documentation and Presence
The concept's documentation is concentrated in Chinese-language resources.
*   **Wikipedia Presence**: The main Wikipedia article exists in exactly 2 language editions, as indicated by the `sitelink_count: 2` and the `wikipedia_languages: zh, zh_yue` (standard Chinese and Cantonese).
*   **Knowledge Graph Integration**: It is recognized by the Google Knowledge Graph with the ID `/g/1pv12fk5`.

### Linguistic and Lexical Data
The entry provides a list of aliases that offer insight into how the currency is referenced.
*   **Aliases**: The list includes `silver tael currency`, `中国古代银币`, `兩銀`, `虚银两`, `銀兩`, and `中国古代银质货币`. These terms reflect both transliterated names and descriptive phrases in Chinese.