600-year-old Chinese coin found in Kenya

[MrIncredible]

Coins do a great job of documenting history.

CHICAGO (AP) - Scientists from Illinois have found a rare, 600-year-old Chinese coin on the Kenyan island of Manda.

The Field Museum in Chicago announced the find Wednesday. The joint expedition was led by Chapurukha Kusimba of the museum and Sloan Williams of the University of Illinois-Chicago. Researchers say the coin proves trade existed between China and eastern Africa decades before European explorers set sail.

The coin is made of copper and silver. It has a square hole in the center so it could be worn on a belt. Scientists say it was issued by Emperor Yongle of China and his name is written on the coin.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20130313/DA50CH680.html

I can only imagine what they will say 600 years from now about all those crazy guys who hoarded so many pennies.

[AGgressive Metal]

Meh, one coin does not prove anything. The Chinese could have traded a 200 year old coin 400 years ago for all they know. Although I've read somewhere before that the Chinese used to have a large trade fleet before they turned inward.

[MrIncredible]

I was thinking the same thing. Some explorer may have just dropped the coin or lost it when he was eaten by a lion or something.

But it is interesting to see how coins help show how far ancient peoples traveled. Whether it was a trade route or not would take more than just a loose coin to prove though.