518 DAVIS. 



notes which are modelled after those of the Hou Chou Dynasty. 

 On the face of the notes there are two seals whose impressions are 

 not made in red mixed with oil, but in yellow pigment mixed with 

 sizing. The color of the paper is blue-black,* the forerunner of the 

 dark notes of the Sung and Yiian and Ming D\'nasties, a fact which 

 proves that it was in this period (the Posterior Chou) that blue-black * 

 paper was substituted in the notes for the yellow used in the T'ang 

 Dynasty. 



Plate 37. Hsiex-te (954-959 A.D.) Note. 

 Translation of the inscriptions: 



Above: "Great Chou General Circulation Treasure-Note." 



Illustration: (Pictorial representation of one ingot). 



At the right, in the lesser seal style: 



" To circiihdc as cash." 



At the left, in the lesser seal style: 



"Not to be used without authority." 



In the lower panel: " The Great Chou General Circulation Treasure- 

 Note is j^nrposed for the convenient use of all the people. The Board of 

 Rites, having received the Imperial authorization decree, designs this note 

 to represent 1 tael in official silver, which value cannot he altered. The 

 counterfeiter of this model — principal or conspirator — shall he immedi- 

 ately executed hy the authorities of the district concerned. (He tvho) 

 reports to the District authorities the name of an offender by counter- 

 feiting shall be rewarded with 14 tacls in silver. This shall be current in 

 all provinces. 



Great Chou, Hsien-te,. . . .year,. . . .month,. . . .day, issued." 



Plate 38. 



The inscription is the same as that on the one tael note with the 

 exception of the denomination, which is 10 taels, and the reward to the 

 informant which is 60 taels. The illustration represents 10 ingots. 



* Dark gray (?). K. T. 



