Definition

• The Chinese Liang or ounce, and equal to about one and one third ounces avoirdupois. The word is derived from the Hindu Tola through the Mayalan word Tahil. It is the nominal unit of China; its value, however, is fluctuating and it is subdivided into ten Mace (Chien or Tsien), one hundred Candareens (Fun), and one thousand Cash (Li). The Tael is a weight and there are varieties for each province. The Hai-Kwan, or customs Tael, has the highest valuation. It is equal to five hundred and ninety and thirty-five one hundredths grains of pure silver.

  The actual trade unit is the Dollar or Yuan (q.v.), and to harmonize this with the weight, the value of the Dollar is seven Mace and two Candareens, i.e., a trifle less than three fourths of the Tael weight. Certain provincial coins have been struck, however, bearing the value of one Tael, one half Tael, etc.

  In China silver is frequently cast in a mold in the form of a truncated cone or bowl, and counterstamped with Chinese characters, indicating the weight in taels.

Source

• Frey's Dictionary (American Journal of Numismatics, Vol. 50, 1916)

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