Remembering History: A 600-year-old Chinese coin has been found on the Kenyan island of Manda, revealing a trade link between China and East Africa. The coin, a small disk of copper and silver with a square hole in the center so it could be worn on a belt, is called “Yongle Tongbao” and was issued by Emperor Yongle who reigned from 1403-1425AD during the Ming Dynasty. The emperor’s name is written on the coin, making it easy to date.

A 600-year-old Chinese coin has been found on the Kenyan island of Manda, revealing a trade link between China and East Africa. The coin, a small disk of copper and silver with a square hole in the center so it could be worn on a belt, is called “Yongle Tongbao” and was issued by Emperor Yongle who reigned from 1403-1425AD during the Ming Dynasty. The emperor’s name is written on the coin, making it easy to date.

A 600-year-old Chinese coin has been found on the Kenyan island of Manda, revealing a trade link between China and East Africa. The coin, a small disk of copper and silver with a square hole in the center so it could be worn on a belt, is called “Yongle Tongbao” and was issued by Emperor Yongle who reigned from 1403-1425AD during the Ming Dynasty. The emperor’s name is written on the coin, making it easy to date.