I just received this recently: This is not something that I have seen before or even read before in any Korean coin catalog. This is a common 1/4 yang: I don't think it's a counterfeit. This coin weighs 4.67g. What are your opinions on this?
It looks suspicious. The top coin seems to be somewhat crude. On the top coin, the "1/4" is to close together and the 4 is undefined. The lettering in "Yang" is uneven. Also, certain areas where it should show wear (Worn/rubbed) are actually filled in. Example: the dragons tail and the second to the bottom character (right hand side on the obverse top coin) where the circle is nearly filled in and the bottom coin's character is clear. I don't see a variety here. Nothing has been actually altered to reflect a changed in date or ruler or any kind of correction which is usually associated with varieties and there is no distinguishing mint characteristics which would also indicate a variety type. In the condition it is, I don't see how a modern fake would make the counterfeiter any real money. Wouldn't be worth their time. I would hazard a guess that it is a contemporary counterfeit. But by who? the Japanese? the Russians? anti-Korean Empire rebels? Hope this helps, Joe Wiki: In October 1897, King Gojong had decided to return to his other palace, Deoksugung, and proclaimed the founding of the Korean Empire. During this period, the Korean government had conducted a westernization policy. It was not a radical reform, however, and Korea steadily become subordinated to the larger powers of Japan and Russia.
I did some more research. My "Korean Coins & Banknotes Catalog" says, your coin should have the following dimensions: weigh 4.8 grams, 20.7 diameter, and 2mm in thickness. This coin could have been made by the Japanese to destabilize the Korean economy. If so, this would be a nice historical addition to your collection. Joe
I think it is a contemporary counterfeit, too. As Joe has pointed out, the coin does not reflect the same high standards as the ones produced that year at the Yongsan mint. However, "varieties" of the 1898 1/4 yang coin may very well exist. This Chinese website shows coins identified as "two varieties" of the 1898 1/4 yang coin which do exhibit slight differences. This is another Chinese website showing two varieties of the coin. Whether these are true varieties or just contemporary counterfeits, I'll leave to other more knowledgeable collectors to determine. Gary
The top one almost looks like it may be a Japanese counterfeit. Those have a larger 12.5mm circle around the dragons compared to the 11mm circle on regular examples. The dragons are certainly less crowded on the first coin, but I can't tell from the pics if that is due to a larger circle or smaller dragons.
While we're on this topic, here's another comparison set. The coin on the right is a normal example, 2mm thick and weighs 4.73 grams. The one on the left is 1.8mm thick and weighs only 3.61 grams. Now, a 10% difference in thickness should not account for almost a 25% difference in weight. There would have to be a difference in the alloy used as well. The slight difference in color supports this. Pretty sure this one is a contemporary counterfeit.
Also note: The character (second from the bottom left) on the top coin has a slash down it. None of the other coins pictured on this thread have it nor do any of mine in my collection. Curious.
Wait! I just found a counterfeit in my collection. It has been years since I've added to my Korean book. Cool!?
I have my reasons of why I couldn't dismiss this coin as a contempory counterfeit right away. Funny enough, I'm actually chasing after a Japanese counterfeit of this coin and references but struggle to find them. The Korean coins of this era are well known for different size font varieties such as these examples: 1896 5 fun small character variety: 1896 5 fun large character variety: There are three different varieties for the 1898 5 fun - I just have two. In my opinion weight is not a reliable way of indicating authencity because of the weight variance of the coins that I have in my collection - unless every single one of my coin are all counterfeit. Most of my 1/4 yang coins are in the range of 4.55g to 4.75g. Pretty big tolerance level there. I'm somewhat suspecting that it's an undocumented variety. Here is another example that sold online that I missed - http://www.ebay.com/itm/1898-Yr-2-K...050?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a17b7061a
Here's one that's slabbed. This variety must really exist. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140775647843
According to the Standard Catalog of World Coins - 1801-1900, "KM# 1118 were counterfeits made on machinery supplied by the Japanese. These counterfeits were authorized for circulation by the Korean Government." (emphasis added) Gary
I want to know where Krause got their source from. I've been searching references with regards to this particular coin.
