中国是使用金属货币最早的国家。而金属货币中，历代又以铜币为主。所以，中国古代的货币史，实际上就是铜币史。铜贝是向金属货币过渡的形态，秦始皇统一中国后，统一了币制，废除刀、布、贝等币，规定只用外圆内方的秦“半两”钱，从此，中国铜铸币有了一个统一的形式，方孔铜钱在中国历史上相沿使用了两千多年，直至清光绪年间(1875--1907年)机制铜币问世，才走完了它的里程 。光绪元宝是清代光绪年间特有的一种货币，有着清朝货币特征，由于当时时局不稳定，因此几乎在全国的各个省都有专门的货币铸造厂。因此我们会发现那个时代的货币上都有鲜明的铸字，标明是哪个省的造币厂铸造的。光绪元宝是银币收藏的大类，历来都受到很多藏家的关注，不同版别的光绪元宝都有独特的韵味，值得藏家深品。

此件藏品为广东省造光绪元宝每元当制钱十文。虽历经岁月的洗礼，却依然保存完好。此币流通于光绪年间，钱币正面直读为“光绪元宝”四字，外环珠圈，中心铭满文铸局名称，下缘记值文字为“每元当制钱十文“；背面中心内圈内铸有蟠龙图，眼神灵异炯炯有神，龙鳞雕刻细密有致。外圈有英文环绕，左右各一花饰。钱币结构端庄规整，做工精良，版面设计别致，雕工精湛、字迹清晰深俊，如斧削刀切，钱文线条透露出一股抑扬顿挫的刚毅之劲，富有神韵。

英文翻译：

China is the earliest country to use metal currency. Among the metal currencies, copper coins were dominated in the past. Therefore, the history of currency in ancient China is actually the history of copper coins. Copper shell is a form of transition to metal currency. After Qin Shihuang unified China, he unified the currency system, abolished knives, cloth, shells and other coins, and stipulated that only Qin "half two" coins on the outer circle and inner square were used. A unified form, the square hole copper coin has been used for more than two thousand years in Chinese history. It was not until the advent of the mechanical copper coin during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty (1875--1907) that its mileage was completed. Guangxu Yuanbao is a unique currency during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty. It has the characteristics of Qing Dynasty currency. Due to the unstable situation at that time, there were special currency foundries in almost every province of the country. Therefore, we will find that the currency of that era has a distinctive coinage, indicating which mint in which province was minted. Guangxu Yuanbao is a major category of silver coin collections, which has always attracted the attention of many collectors. Different versions of Guangxu Yuanbao have a unique charm and are worthy of deep appreciation. This collection contains ten texts of Guangxu yuanbao made in Guangdong province. Despite the baptism of years, it is still well preserved. The coin was in circulation during the Guangxu period. The front of the coin reads directly as "Guangxu Yuanbao" four characters, the outer ring is round, the center is inscribed with the name of the manu Inside the inner circle is a picture of a flat dragon, the eyes are piercing and energetic, and the dragon scales are finely carved. The outer ring is surrounded by English, with a floral ornament on the left and right. The coin structure is dignified and regular, well-made, unique in layout design, exquisite carving, clear and handsome, like a sharp knife, and the lines of the money reveal a swell of fortitude, full of charm.