"過爐銀"是晚清時期營口地區一項極具特色的區域貨幣體系,它是中國從秤量銀兩幣制向記賬、信用幣制轉化的主要形式之一。這一制度大約產生於19世紀六七十年代,從19世紀80年代到1900年間保持了穩定運行,之後則在外來衝擊、官方干預之下不斷遭受危機和制度調整。"過爐銀"由營口商人組織——公議會創設和管理,並在山西票號提供的匯兌機制基礎上臻於完善。通過發揮貨幣市場中的各項職能,諸如大額貿易支付、提供短期借貸、買賣匯票、化解交易風險等,為營口貿易及其市場覆蓋區域提供了交易媒介和信用工具。"過爐銀"的運轉機制也反映了晚清貨幣市場的主要內容和基本特點。

Guolu yin or furnace silver(過爐銀) was a distinctive regional currency that developed in the Yingkou area in the late Qing period.It was one of the main forms through which China's monetary system was transformed from a silver weight-based currency to one based on accounting and credit.The system emerged around the 1860s-1870 s,and remained in regular use as a stable currency from the 1880 sto the 1900 s.Thereafter,under the impact of foreign incursions and governmental interventions,it suffered repeated crises and institutional adjustments.The guolu yin was established and managed by the Gongyihui(公議會 Council), a local merchant organization in Yingkou.It improved on the exchange mechanism model supplied by the Shanxi piaohao(票號 draft bank). Operating in the currency market by providing large trade payments plus short-term loans and bank drafts and cushioning transaction risks,the guolu yin served as a medium of exchange and a credit instrument for trade in Yingkou and the area covered by its market.The operating mechanism of the guolu yin reflects the main elements and the basic characteristics of the late Qing currency market.