Abstract: The present invention provides (1) a process for producing a colorless aromatic acid anhydride having a high purity in a high yield by reacting an aromatic carboxylic acid having a carboxyl group bonded to the aromatic nucleus with a lower aliphatic acid anhydride in the presence of at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of ions of metals of Groups, I, II, III, V, VII and VIII of the periodic table and (2) a process for producing an acid anhydride by an exchange reaction of an organic carboxylic acid anhydride and a carboxylic acid in the presence of at least 5 ppm of at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Mn, Fe, Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Cu, Zn, Al, Ti and V ions.