A Brief History The origins of playing cards can be traced back over a millennium, with their exact beginnings shrouded in the mists of time. However, it was in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) that the earliest known playing cards were crafted. These cards, known as “money cards,” were used in a variety of games and bore striking resemblances to the playing cards we use today. Playing cards made their way to Europe through trade routes, where they underwent numerous transformations. By the 14th century, cards resembling modern decks were being produced in Europe, featuri…