신라인의 銅錢과 呪術―神은 돈을 받는다―

초록

The issue of coin usage in the Silla Dynasty has not received much attention until now. There are no records indicating that Silla minted its own coins. Therefore, if coins were circulated in Silla, they were likely Chinese coins. Evidence confirms that Chinese coins came into the southern part of the Korean Peninsula from regions along waterways such as seas and rivers, dating back to the time when the Hans(韓) existed. Some researchers believe that the Chinese 韓 coins excavated from living sites in coastal areas were likely used in everyday trade. However, rather than having been used for economic purposes, it is more common that they were used as ornamental items or ritual objects in tombs. Although it is difficult to consider that Han people of that time used Chinese coins as a medium of exchange internally, it is at least acknowledged that they became aware of the existence and significance of coins through contact with China. Chinese coins have also been found at Baekje sites and are generally believed to have been used in a magical context. Although not frequent or numerous, Chinese coins have been found in Silla's capital and provincial sites. Therefore, it cannot be said that Chinese coins were not circulated or used in Silla at all. However, most of them were utilized in rituals such as funerals or earth deity ceremonies, carrying a symbolic or magical significance rather than serving as a form of currency. Notably, cases of imitation coins shows their symbolic and magical nature. In addition to these findings, the writings on wooden document Gaya1601 discovered at the Seongsansanseong Fortress in Haman has been newly interpreted as “好□錢六入,” suggesting it was a label for a container with six coins. The quantity of “six” seems insufficient for trade or wealth accumulation, indicating that these coins were likely obtained and stored for ritualistic purposes. There are various interpretations regarding the ritualistic meaning of coins, but it is important to trace their origins back to their primary significance as payment or wealth accumulation tools. The Silla people were aware of the existence and concept of coins, understood the conditions of coin-using regions, and perceived that their deities came from or passed through worlds where coins were used. Therefore, it was natural to think that coins would be valid in the realm of gods and otherworldly realms. We cannot yet be certain whether coins were used for economic purposes in Silla, but it is clear that the gods did receive money.

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