Ancient calculating tool

The first known portable calculating tool, the abacus is often associated with the development of an ancient network of trade routes referred to as the Silk Road.  Spanning 64,000 kilometers, the vast passage was the first to connect China with the Middle East and Europe.

Merchants traditionally used and abacus to keep an inventory of commodity being bought and sold along the route.  Also known as counting boards or frames, these devices were typically made of wood or metal and held rods that were mounted with freely sliding beads for counting large numbers. 

‘Abacus’ insert

Featuring an antiqued finish, the coin is inset with an abacus.  The reverse design features depictions of travellers riding camels along the Silk Road.  Items that were typically traded as pottery, textiles, fruit, paper, fragrances and spices are represented in the foreground.  Also included on the reverse is a background pattern and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark.