Cash coins in Indonesia

The cash coins of Indonesia (Indonesian: Kepeng; Balinese: Pis Bolong; Javanese: Picis, Pitjis, or Gobog)^[a][b] was a historical currency in Indonesia based on Chinese imperial coinage during the Tang dynasty era (dynasty based in Mainland China). It was introduced by the Chinese traders, but did not become popular in Indonesia until Singhasari defeated the Mongol empire in 13th century.^[1][2] Chinese cash coins continued to circulate in Indonesian archipelago for centuries; when the Ming dynasty banned trade with the region, many local rulers started creating their own imitations of Chinese cash coins which were often thinner and of inferior quality. Cash coins produced in Indonesia were made from various materials such as copper-alloys, lead, and most commonly tin.

In Indonesia cash coins are often used in various forms of superstitions and rituals which earns them the nickname "magic coins", local cash coin-based amulets (Javanese: ꦒꦺꦴꦧꦺꦴꦒ꧀ꦮꦪꦁ, romanized: Gobog Wayang) based on these cash coins serve a similar place in Indonesian culture as their Chinese counterparts do in Chinese culture, these amulets also date back to the Majapahit period and are used by both the ethnic Chinese and the native population.^[3] The ceremonial usage of cash coins is most prevalent on the island of Bali where they can often be found sewn onto clothing as well as made into forms of jewelry and statuary objects. Cash coins in Bali are often sold at shops that cater to tourists, the "junk" and "antique" section of local traditional markets (known as pasar), and in specialised cash coin stores.^[4]

The last Chinese cash coins as money circulated in Bali until the year 1970.

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