Quartz Crystal Ingot Carving

Lovely quartz crystal carving of the Chinese symbol of abundance

A yuanbao is a small metal ingot that was used in ancient China as money. Being made out of silver or gold, the value was determined by weight in taels, which is a weight measurement, part of the Chinese system of weights and currency (see also: baht). Yuanbaos were made by individual silversmiths for local exchange.