What are those small stampings on some Spanish 8 Reales, Mexican Pesos, and English or USA Trade Dollars? Are they what some coin dealers refer to as Chinese Chop Marks? Yes, but, those who struck those Chop Marks didn't use that term. Those who appledthe stampings simply called them Chops or Marks as did those who accepted the coins stamped coins as legal tender. Those struck by India based banks are called Shroffs. What are they? There are three answers to this question: (1) Most are authentication assurances by a bank, merchant, local political leader or a national government agent as to the worth of the coin. Area tradesmen, farmers, bankers and Chinese government assayers weigh, measure and read the text of the issuing country to determine the value of the coin just as if the coin was an ingot. The authentication Mark or Chop is accepted by everyone who knows the Chop applier. As the coin circulates throughout a country (i.e. China - Kwangtung, Fujien, Schezuan, Taiwan, etc.) or to another country, like Burma, Manchuria, India, Tibet and other neighboring nations, other Chops are applied. These Chops may contain one, two or three characters. Some Chops are not Chinese characters, but an English letter like Y or F being the first letter of the verifying person's surname. Most usually a missionary schooled person or a foreigner operating a business inside China or a neighboring country. (2) Some Chops were applied by merchants who kowtowed to superstitions. They wanted good fortune to smile on them so they sealed the transaction with wholesale suppliers or retail customers by stamping good luck symbolson the coins involved in the purchase or sale. These symbols can be an animal, bird, honey bee, fish or a flower. (3) If any Chop on your coin is round and doesn't make a hole through your coin it is an assay test Mark. To assure the coin is not silver plated and/or a counterfeit, an assayer or banker will cut out a small piece to verify the coin is genuine and composed of silver and not a base metal plated with silver before affixing their Chop to the coins. As silver readily oxidises, some coins will receive more than one assay test Mark on its surfaces. Note: Other metal compositions (bronze, copper, nickel) may have Chops on them too. Here's some photos of coins bearing a Chop or more: Courtesy of Coin Page http://www.coinpage.com/large.php?tImageId=3111 http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-5330.html 1798 Spanish 8 Reales w/Character Chops on both sides plus an assayer cut on obverse Courtesy of Coin Archives (18 coins) http://www.coinarchives.com/w/results.php?search=Chop+Mark&s=0&results=100 USA 1875 Trade Dollar Courtesy of Gov Mint http://www.govmint.com/item/United-States-Chopmark-Trade-Dollar-XF/11703/51 1798 Spanish 8 Reales w/Chops on both sides plus an assayers cut on obverse Courtesy of Metal Detecting http://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?p=418313 1876-S USA Trade Dollar w/ many chops Courtesy of Coins Daily http://coinsdaily.com/coinblog/2009/08/23/the-trade-dollar/ Thought you should know... Clinker
To bhp3rd: Thought I'd personally "thank" you for joining the roster of people who tendered a positive comment on one of my trivia posts...:hug: Clinker
Thanks.. What Fun! Just hit Ebay to look at some.. I never think to look at other than Trade Dollars.. Some neat ones.. The only ones I have are from The MASONS,, Not really chopmarks as much as Advertisement
To Lather: I believe some of the Chops containing three Chinese characters are both authentication and ad Marks especially those applied by banks, large wholesalers and clothing manufacturers... This is the first time your user name has appeared on one of my "trivias," and I welcome you AND "thank you" for reading and commenting. One other thing; all coins bearing Chops (1 or more) can be purchased at considerable discounts below coins without Chops from most coin dealers here in America. I don't know if dealers in other countries offer them at lower prices. I would never pay full Krause Catalog for any coin bearing a Chop. Clinker
I did but it was because I loved the coin it's an I did but it was because I loved the coin it's an 1865 Mexico 8 Reales in Mint state, net AU-50 with three chops on front and 2 on back but it is beautiful - I think I gave $85 but it's one of those coins that just drips history.
Tobhp3rd: To each his own (beauty is in the "eye" of the beholder). Nice to hear from you. I would never deem it a mistake for any collector to purchase a coin, whether Chopped, dented, scratched, cleaned, pitted, lightly struck, or even counterfeit, if that collector wants that coin for any reason. I've seen many non defective coins sell above their book value at auctions and shows. Each recipient was satisfied with their purchase. You have a nice historical coin with a record of some of its history incused on it forever. No one can shame you for adding it to your collection. Clinker
Thanks for the very interesting post. Just for the record, the Chinese did not invent the concept of chop marks. This Persian siglos from about 400 BC has a few (including one of an owl at the left).
