Featured Ant-Nose Coins: Finally, a complete set!

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by TypeCoin971793, Dec 10, 2019.

  1. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

    I have been pursuing a complete set of Ant-nose coins for several years now, which is a very difficult task as some types are known only in the dozens or even single digits and show up sporadically at best. For those who don’t know, “Ant-Nose” coins are so named because the two most common types resemble a face with a giant nose (top left) and an ant (second row, second from right). Ironically, the inscriptions of the most common coins have not been deciphered yet, though I am currently working on deciphering them (and I believe I have a very good idea). Most of the rarer specimens are clear as to what their inscriptions mean.

    They are identified, in order of left-to-right, top-to-bottom:

    1. “Nose” coin, normal size
    2. “Nose” coin, large size (rare)
    3. “Nose” coin, small size
    4. “Nose” coin with a single bar over the inscription
    5. “Nose” coin with two bars over the inscription (scarce)
    6. “Nose” coin with a bar dividing the inscription below the “eyes” (very rare)
    7. “Ant” coin. All published decipherments of this coin are incorrect. My decipherment will be published at a later date.
    8. “Jun” or “nobleman”
    9. Typically read as “Tao” or “Kiln”, but this is not correct. I have a good idea about the decipherment of this coin to be published at a later date. (Very rare, and was the last addition to this set thanks to @AnYangMan )
    10. “Jin”, which was a weight unit of the Chu state. (Very rare)
    11. “Jin”, which was the weight unit of neighboring states, possibly used in trade (rare)
    12. “Xing”, or “crossroads” (scarce)
    13. This one is published as possibly “yong”, but I disagree. I do not have a good idea what it could be. (This one is so prohibitively rare such that nearly all collectors will never be able to complete the set, regardless of funding).

    F1EE78C5-507F-4085-9F4C-9B7C63E28952.jpeg
     
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  3. Seattlite86

    Seattlite86 Outspoken Member

    For us ignorant folks, can you tell us a little about years minted, location, value of the coin (as in what value the coin was spent as), etc?
     
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  4. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

    There is very little known about these as they aren’t really mentioned specifically in any records. What is known for fact is that these coins were produced by the state of Chu before the Qin unified China. Archaeological and etymological evidence suggests a date around 300 BC, and they were likely produced until the Chu state was conquered by Qin. As for contemporary value, that is unknown. They either circulated as units or by weight. I do talk about this in another thread.

    https://www.cointalk.com/threads/two-similar-but-completely-different-coins.319251/
     
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2019
  5. Severus Alexander

    Severus Alexander find me at NumisForums

    Wow, congrats on a very difficult set! Following this thread to learn more... I'm really looking forward to your decipherment proposals. :)
     
    TypeCoin971793 likes this.
  6. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Big fun, @TypeCoin971793 ! Congrats on a GREAT collection!

    You have seen mine before.

    [​IMG]
    China Shang Dyn 1766-1154 BC Ant Nose Ge Liu Zhu 2.6g 19.5mm x 11mm very scarce H 1.10

    [​IMG]
    China Shang Dyn 1766-1154 BC Ant Nose Ge Liu Zhu 17.4mm x 10mm very scarce H 1.10

    [​IMG]
    China Shang 1766-1154 BCE or Zhou Dynasty Ghost Face Ant Nose 1.65g Hartill 1.4
     
  7. happy_collector

    happy_collector Well-Known Member

    Nice group of Ant Nose coins. Thanks for showing. I have only seen #1, 5, 7, 8 and 12 before. Great to see the rest. :happy:
     
    TypeCoin971793 likes this.
  8. KVcoins

    KVcoins New Member

    That's awesome @TypeCoin971793! I have started collecting ant nose coins over the past year or so and hope to get a collection like this one day. So far I have a number of 1. “Nose” coin, normal size and a few 12. “Xing”, or “crossroads” (scarce).

    Do you have any suggestions on where to look for additional coins? I normally just run across the standard ant nose coin.
     
    TypeCoin971793 likes this.
  9. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

    There’s quite a few fakes of this type around, so be careful.

    Normally auctions and some of the well-known dealers. Bob Reis Scott Semans have a few of the scarcer types. There are regularly rare types at www.huayicang.com.
     
  10. KVcoins

    KVcoins New Member

    Thank you! I will have to check those places out, also, as far as the fakes of the Xing ant nose coin, is there anything I can do to help verify if they are real?
     
  11. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

    The style and fabric mainly. These are big coins, and the form of the character is generally quite consistent
     
  12. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Fantastic set, congrats.
     
    TypeCoin971793 likes this.
  13. Raxc

    Raxc Member

    Very nice collection. Please don't take this as me trying to tear down your accomplishment, but I just want everyone who comes across this page to know there is atleast three more varieties of these out there.

    1. Bar below character.
    China Zhou AE Ant Nose 2006.jpg
    2. Double sided, light weight (1.25g)
    China Zhou AE Ant Nose 2051.jpg
    3. Double sided, heavy weight (3.20g, this one does have shifted mold)
    China Zhou AE Ant Nose 2217.jpg
     
    Last edited: Sep 7, 2021
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