Someone gave these to me and I was wondering where they came from and what time period. They are approx 1 1/2" in diameter and attract a magnet. http://s345.photobucket.com/albums/p366/tankjeepman/coins/ If anyone can tell me about these coins I would appreciate it.
The Chinese allow the reproduction of their coins prior to 1949. However usually the coins have a denomination on them that is detectible, but I don't see such on these, and originals would not be magnetic,so I side with reproductions. IMO. Welcome to the Forum! Jim
tankjeepman, these are cast reproductions of Chinese coins. The distinct pattern formed in the fields during the casting process is a dead giveaway. The fact that they are magnetic just confirms it. If the coins had been struck by a press then the fields would be uniform and flat. I see these reproductions all the time on eBay. Sellers often market them as "Interesting" and "Rare" but seldom charge more than a buck for them. I doubt they're worth even that much.
I don't view these coins as fakes, merely fantasy peices. They are not, to my knowledge, imitating real coins. These I do not mind, since they are just made up tokens. Either way they are low value tokens sold in flea markets and the like. I have a few hundred of these that I have got in groups off Ebay. I just stamp copy into each and throw into a pile of junk.
