Qin Dynasty (336-221 BC) Ban Liang Half-Tael  "秦半两" bronze Coin size 36 mm H, 17.8 grams , 

The Qin economy was monetarized in the mid-fourth century, and over time many different types of bronze coin were in circulation. This mold may date from 210 B.C., when the First Emperor ordered the issue of greater numbers of “half-ounce” coins. The Qin also used standard-sized bolts of cloth as a medium of exchange, with one length of cloth equaling eleven coins. The Han generally followed Qin monetary policy and, under Emperor Wu (r. 141–87 B.C.), issued a new type of bronze coin, the wuzhu, consolidating production in 114 B.C.

秦始皇统一中国后，以国家强制推行秦半两，取代原六国自有的货币。这一时期的半两钱多由地方官府自行铸造，形制的差异有所缩小，但是仍然不能做到统一。钱体不圆，方孔仍有不方者。铭文用小篆，传说乃李斯手书，“两”字中的“人”部分较短，俗称“短人两”。