600-year-old coin found in Kenya
600-year-old coin found: A museum in Chicago today showcased a rare copper-and-silver coin which dates back to the time of the China's Emperor Yongle in 1400s.
This Feb. 8, 2013 provided by The Field Museum in Chicago shows a rare, 600-year-old Chinese coin that scientists from Illinois discovered on the Kenyan island of Manda.
Courtesy The Field Museum, John Weinstein/AP
Chicago
Scientists from Illinois have found a rare, 600-year-old Chinese coin on the Kenyan island of Manda.
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The Field Museum in Chicago announced the find Wednesday. The joint expedition was led by Chapurukha Kusimba of the museum and Sloan Williams of the University of Illinois-Chicago. Researchers say the coinproves trade existed between China and eastern Africa decades before European explorers set sail.
The coin is made of copper and silver. It has a square hole in the center so it could be worn on a belt. Scientists say it was issued by Emperor Yongle of China and his name is written on the coin.
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Scientists from Kenya, Pennsylvania and Ohio also participated in the expedition. They also found human remains and other artifacts predating the coin.
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Online: http://www.fieldmuseum.org
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