Changes

==Early Coinage==

==Early Coinage==

[[File:Wadokaichin.jpg|right|thumb|200px|An example of a ''wadô kaichin'' coin, on display at the British Museum]]

[[File:Wadokaichin.jpg|right|thumb|200px|An example of a ''wadô kaichin'' coin, on display at the British Museum]]

The Wadô era ([[708]]-[[715]]) is named after the significant discovery of copper seams in [[Musashi province]]; the era's name means literally "Japanese copper." Copper coins minted during that period based on the form of Chinese ones are believed to have been the first coins minted in Japan.

The Wadô era ([[708]]-[[715]]) is named after the significant discovery of copper seams in [[Musashi province]]; the era's name means literally "Japanese copper." Copper coins minted during that period based on the form of [[Chinese currency|Chinese ones]] are believed to have been the first coins minted in Japan.

The [[Song Dynasty]] produced more copper coins than any other dynasty; in the 1070s, China was producing nearly six million coins per year, a process which required 9600 tons of copper each year.<ref>Bonnie Smith, et al. ''Crossroads and Cultures'', vol. B, Bedford St. Martins (2012), 385.</ref> Many of these coins made it to Japan, where Chinese coins remained a standard mode of exchange over domestically minted coins throughout much of the pre-modern period.

The [[Song Dynasty]] produced more copper coins than any other dynasty; in the 1070s, China was producing nearly six million coins per year, a process which required 9600 tons of copper each year.<ref>Bonnie Smith, et al. ''Crossroads and Cultures'', vol. B, Bedford St. Martins (2012), 385.</ref> Many of these coins made it to Japan, where Chinese coins remained a standard mode of exchange over domestically minted coins throughout much of the pre-modern period.