Research Article

Legitimacy and Use of Paper Money During the Reign of Kublai Khan

Number: 118 July 31, 2026
EN TR

Legitimacy and Use of Paper Money During the Reign of Kublai Khan

Abstract

The period of Kublai Khan is known as when innovative economic practices were adopted in China, and the use of paper money was turned into a state policy. While previous dynasties ruling the Chinese lands had limited paper money to regional contexts, Kublai Khan made it compulsory across the country and turned paper money into a centralised means of payment. By establishing exchange offices, he also prohibited the outflow of metal coins from the government and ensured that the precious metals remained within the borders. Through this policy, he could keep the money supply under control and reinforce the legitimacy of the central authority. Widely used in tax collection, gift giving, and salaries, paper money became one of the essential elements of the dynasty’s financial system. Interactions, developments and transformations related to paper money are evident in Chinese and Uyghur written sources and this study examines the subject within this framework.

Keywords

References

  1. Âkâcerî, S. H., and S. E. Rezevî. “İlel Nâkârkerdî Pûl-i Kâgızî der İktisâd ve Câme’i ‘Asr-i Îlhânî.” Pejûheşnâme-i Dânişgede-i Edebiyât, no. 38, Dâniş gâh-i Şehîd Beheştî, 1382 hş.
  2. Angell, Norman. The Story of Money. Garden City Publishing Co, 1929.
  3. Anonim. Yuan Dianzhang 元典章. prep.by. Hong Jinfu 洪金富. Zhongyang Yanjiuyuan Lishi Yuyan Yanjiusuo 中央研究院歷史語言研究所, Taiwan Taibei 臺灣台北 2016; Da Yuan shengzheng guochao dianzhang (大元聖政國朝典章) (Yuan dianzhang. Zhonghua Shuju, Beijing 1964.Baron,Edward. Ez Sa’dî tâ Câmî’Asr-ı İstilâ-yı Mogûl ve Tâtâr. trans. Ali Asger Hikmet, İntişârât-ı İbn-i Sînâ, Tahrân 1301 hş.
  4. Biot, Édouard Constant. Le Tcheou-li; ou, Rites des Tcheou (Zhouli). vol. I, Paris 1851.
  5. Carradice, Ian, and Mart’in Price. Hellen Dünyasında Sikke. Trans. Oğuz Tekin, Homer Kitabevi Press, 2001.
  6. Chang, Hung-chao (ed). Shih Ya 石雅. Geological Survey of China, Peiping 1927.
  7. Ch’üan Hansheng. “Yuantai te chihpi.” Chung yang yen chiu yü lĭshĭ yǔ yán yánjiū suǒ chīkān, no. 15, 1948, pp. 1-42.
  8. Ching-hua tzu-tien 清華字典. comp. Ting Fu-pao. Shangwu yinshuguan 商務印 書館. The Commercial Press, 1915.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

History of Asian Economy, Medieval History (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 31, 2026

Submission Date

August 21, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 16, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 118

APA
Coşkun, D., & Murzaraimov, B. (2026). Legitimacy and Use of Paper Money During the Reign of Kublai Khan. Bilig, 118, 91-114. https://doi.org/10.12995/bilig.9064
AMA
1.Coşkun D, Murzaraimov B. Legitimacy and Use of Paper Money During the Reign of Kublai Khan. Bilig. 2026;(118):91-114. doi:10.12995/bilig.9064
Chicago
Coşkun, Derya, and Bakıt Murzaraimov. 2026. “Legitimacy and Use of Paper Money During the Reign of Kublai Khan”. Bilig, nos. 118: 91-114. https://doi.org/10.12995/bilig.9064.
EndNote
Coşkun D, Murzaraimov B (July 1, 2026) Legitimacy and Use of Paper Money During the Reign of Kublai Khan. Bilig 118 91–114.
IEEE
[1]D. Coşkun and B. Murzaraimov, “Legitimacy and Use of Paper Money During the Reign of Kublai Khan”, Bilig, no. 118, pp. 91–114, July 2026, doi: 10.12995/bilig.9064.
ISNAD
Coşkun, Derya - Murzaraimov, Bakıt. “Legitimacy and Use of Paper Money During the Reign of Kublai Khan”. Bilig. 118 (July 1, 2026): 91-114. https://doi.org/10.12995/bilig.9064.
JAMA
1.Coşkun D, Murzaraimov B. Legitimacy and Use of Paper Money During the Reign of Kublai Khan. Bilig. 2026;:91–114.
MLA
Coşkun, Derya, and Bakıt Murzaraimov. “Legitimacy and Use of Paper Money During the Reign of Kublai Khan”. Bilig, no. 118, July 2026, pp. 91-114, doi:10.12995/bilig.9064.
Vancouver
1.Derya Coşkun, Bakıt Murzaraimov. Legitimacy and Use of Paper Money During the Reign of Kublai Khan. Bilig. 2026 Jul. 1;(118):91-114. doi:10.12995/bilig.9064

Ahmet Yesevi University Board of Trustees