Going Beyond the Round at Auctions

Sometimes a coin isn’t always round. Such was the case at two recent auctions, where unusually shaped objects known as spade money from ancient China shoveled in winning bids.

The majority of the spade money is shaped like a square-edged gardening tool, a shovel, or, as its name indicates, a spade. Originating from the Zhou dynasty in modern-day northeastern China (c.1045/1046–256 B.C.), this coinage is made from bronze, as were many Zhou artistic objects, and used for bartering and financial transactions. Many of these aged objects are now covered with patina, and some show inscriptions indicating a number, a clan, or a place name.

C. 650–400 B.C. Zhou dynasty hollow handle square shoulder spade money. Graded Genuine by GBCA Grading Company. Sold for $960.
Courtesy of Stack’s Bowers Galleries.

Within this style of coinage is bridge money, bronze L- or animal-shaped pieces used as funerary objects. Their unique appearances are believed to purposely resemble the ancient bianqing percussion instrument used during rituals.

Spade Money at Auction

Spade monies in all shapes were for sale at the first session of the December 16, 2025, Stack’s Bowers Galleries Hong Kong Collectors Choice Online auction. Multiple Zhou dynasty spade pieces earned winning bids at the event, ranging from a c. 650–400 B.C. shallow handle, square shoulder spade sold for $960 to a c. 350–250 B.C. flat handle, square foot spade money bought for $85. Also for sale was a dragon head bridge piece that was won for $216.

C. 350–250 B.C. Zhou Dynasty flat handle square foot spade money. Graded Genuine by Zhong Qian Ping Ji Grading Company. Sold for $85.
Courtesy of Stack’s Bowers Galleries.

More animal-shaped bridge tender was seen at the November 17, 2025, Stephen Album Rare Coins auction. Present were dragon heads, including a 300–225 B.C. example with high-relief decoration, which sold for $600, and fish, such as a 770–475 B.C. issue purchased for $192. Also for up for bid were multiple spade-shaped monies, with sales ranging from $70 to the $1,000s.

More information about the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Hong Kong Collectors Choice Online auction is available at stacksbowers.com. The results of the Stephen Album Rare Coins auction are at stevealbum.com.

Zhou Dynasty bridge money. 15-86g. VF. Sold for $600. Courtesy of Stephen Album Rare Coins.

Highlights from the December 16 Stack’s Bowers Galleries Hong Kong Collectors Choice Online auction

C. 400–300 B.C. Zhou Dynasty flat handle arch foot spade money. Graded 80 by Zhong Qian Ping Ji Grading Company. Sold for $360.
Courtesy of Stack’s Bowers Galleries.

C. 350–250 B.C. Zhou Dynasty flat handle square foot spade money. Graded 82 by Hua Xia Ping Ji Grading Company. Sold for $216.
Courtesy of Stack’s Bowers Galleries.

C. 300–220 B.C. Zhou Dynasty dragon head bridge money. Graded 80 by Zhong Qian Ping Ji Grading Company. Sold for $216. Courtesy of Stack’s Bowers Galleries.