Vintage Chinese Tea Block Pressed Black Tea Brick Currency Tablet 1940s-50s

A Chinese pressed tea brick (Tsiao Liu Chiu), used as currency in China.Tea bricks have been used as a means of payment from 9th to 20th century in China, Mongolia, Siberia, Tibet, Turkmenistan and Russia.The design on the front features a pagoda among trees with a five star motif across the top, and Chinese characters on the bottom, and the back is divided into sixteen sections, each with a looped design and textured finish.Pre-cut like a chocolate bar in sixteen equivalent squares bearing the same curved lines which makes it easier to cut off one or more pieces in order to make small payments. Being compact, easy to preserve and to carry, tea bricks were a practical means of payment used even to make trade with people from other regions. All the more so since tea is edible, it was a valuable currency with which one could also pay his taxes to the Emperor.Measures appx 9 3/8” x 7 3/8” x 7/8”There is slight loss on the corners, and light transfer lint, but otherwise is in remarkable shape. Please view the photos to confirm the condition and contact me with further questions.