½ Liang (Type 4; with dot and crescent)

The Ban Liang coin, meaning half-liang, was introduced during the Qin Dynasty as part of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's efforts to standardize currency across a unified China. By replacing the diverse spade and knife monies of the Warring States period with a uniform circular coin featuring a square central hole, the state streamlined trade and tax collection. The design, characterized by the two characters for 'half' and 'liang', reflects the weight of the coin in the traditional Chinese measurement system.

The Type 4 variant, distinguished by the presence of a dot and crescent mark, represents a specific stage in the evolution of these coins during the Western Han period. These markings are widely interpreted by numismatists as minting indicators or control marks intended to ensure quality and track production origin within the imperial foundries. While the casting process for these copper alloys remained largely consistent, the subtle shifts in design illustrate the transition of administrative oversight as the Han dynasty refined the monetary policies established by their predecessors.