錢幣

First attested in the Book of Han:

莽以錢幣訖不行，復下書曰：“民以食為命，以貨為資，是以八政以食為首……” [Traditional Chinese poetry, trad.]

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莽以钱币讫不行，复下书曰：“民以食为命，以货为资，是以八政以食为首……” [Traditional Chinese poetry, simp.]

From: The Book of Han, circa 1^st century CE

mǎng yǐ qiánbì qì bùxíng, fù xiàshū yuē: “Mín yǐ shí wéi mìng, yǐ huò wéi zī, shìyǐ bāzhèng yǐ shí wéi shǒu......” [Pinyin]

Because his cash and currencies finally did not circulate, Mang again issued a written message, which said, "The common people consider their food as their life and their goods as their wealth. For this reason among the eight [aspects of] government, food is given the first place..."

Also attested in Guanzi Chapter 84 (《管子·輕重戊》):

齊未亡一錢幣，脩使三年而代服。 [Traditional Chinese poetry, trad.]

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齐未亡一钱币，修使三年而代服。 [Traditional Chinese poetry, simp.]

From: Guanzi, 5^th century BCE to 220 CE

Qí wèi wáng yī qiánbì, xiū shǐ sānnián ér Dài fú. [Pinyin]

Without any cost, Qi just sent some diplomats there and three years later, the state of Dai came over to Qi and pledged allegiance.

錢幣

1. coin (Classifier: 個／个; 枚; 套)
2. currency; money (Classifier: 種／种)