Can anybody hep me figure out what the above Chinese coin is? It appears to be in the size range of 20-50 cash from the 19th Century, but most in my catalog have characters on the reverse. Can anybody help me identify this and get a rough idea of it's value? The characters somewhat (but not perfectly) resemble one coin from the Taiping Rebellion, C#38-2 from 1853-64, but that one has characters on the reverse. I'd appreciate your help. Thanks.
Your coin apparently dates from 1361. I don't know about its Chinese origins, but such coins were imported into Japan, where they are known as "Daichuu Tsuuhou". http://tragan.web.infoseek.co.jp/gen/daityu.htm
For most of their history Chinese cash did not have marks on the reverse. It wa sonly in the last couple hundred years that they had them. I would look at older empires like Tang or Song or similar. I cannot look at Hartill right now, but I bet someone here will get you an answer. If not, I will look it up tomorrow night sir. Btw, welcome to Cointalk! Chris
It's from the Ming Dyn. and dates 1361-1368, Da Zhong Tong Bao. It's either a 1,2 3,5 or 10 cash coin depending on it's diameter.
Its a coin Do Zhong tong bao coin of Zhu Yuanzhang, as Prince of Wu, cast 1361-1368. See Hartill 20.2. He was the founder of the Ming dynasty, and later took the name Ming Tai Zu. The calligraphy on your piece looks, it could be a fake.
If it's fake, it could be one of the cast copies that were made in the Tohoku (Northeast) region of Japan at various times.
Good to know sir thank you. I am surprised, since i have some Japanese copies of Chinese coins and they are actually higher quality than the Chinese originals. That is my only experience with Japanese imitations.
It could be, but the calligraphy is not what I'd expect even for that. I haven't worked with such imitations enough to say. Can you show me any images or rubbings of them?
I would like to see too. The only reference I can find is the Japanese Dealers listing, as item 108 under Imported Coins. I believe that is supposed to be the authentic Chinese version. Btw OP, Hartill lists your coin, if authentic, as a 12, meaning about the most common. Chris
OK, here is a Japanese web site showing what the author describes as copies of cash coins (presumably the second coin in each group) http://homepage3.nifty.com/~sirakawa/Coin/C021.htm
Neither is there a listing in Jones. But of course there are better Japanese listings for these. To confirm that its not an official Ming issue - there's none that match it in Da Ming Quan Pu, a detailed variety guide of Ming cash.
Thank You Wow, am I impressed by the expertise and care you've displayed in identifying this coin. Of course, it isn't the news I hoped for, but interesting nonetheless. I'll certainly be posting to Coin Talk again soon. Thanks!
