½ Liang (Type 4; with lines)

The Ban Liang, or 'half-ounce' coin, represents a monumental shift in Chinese numismatics, having been standardized by the Qin dynasty following the unification of China in 221 BCE. Before this standardization, various regional states utilized different currencies, ranging from spade-shaped to knife-shaped coins. The circular design with a square hole, which defines the Ban Liang, was crafted to facilitate easy transport on cords and established the visual template for Chinese cash coinage that persisted for over two millennia.

The Type 4 variation, distinguished by the presence of prominent lines on the reverse, reflects the evolution of minting techniques during the early Han dynasty transition around 175 BCE. Designers and minters of this era focused on functional durability, as these coins were minted under strict state control to replace the varied, often lighter private currencies that had proliferated during the chaotic collapse of the Qin. While not attributed to a single named artisan, these coins were received as a crucial instrument of imperial authority, centralizing economic power and simplifying trade across a vast, newly unified territory.