alogue has become the standard reference work for cast Chinese coins. It covers both the early spade and knife coins that were used from around 600 BC and the square holed "cash" coins that were the coinage of China from the 4th century BC until the end of the Empire in the 20th century. Special attention is given to the red copper coins of Xinjiang. As well as the catalogue, there is copious background information concerning the use and manufacture of these coins, and numerous charts, maps, and tables to help both the expert and the novice to identify their coins.

The second edition has been extensively edited, and contains some new coins and sections.

Awarded the Lhotka Prize by the Royal Numismatic Society.