I got [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]this old Chinese coin. I know [/FONT]that there are a lot of counterfeits of these coin. Just wanted to know if this one is real or not. I know its hard to judge by pictures, but can you try please. Its non-magnetic, and I the sound test was positive too. What is the denomination and which year is it? thank you.
As you say, so many fakes of these around that the usual starting point is to assume it is one. To my eye, yours does not look obviously wrong, and you have done some of the obvious test. Weight is the next one - it should be 26.4 gms - anything appreciably lower than that would be a definite fake. (I have seen them as low as 19.6 gms!) If it passes this test, you can say "probably" genuine, but if you want to go further you would need to test the silver content, which will mark the coin. It should be 0.89 Silver. It is KM (or Y) # 329 - 6 character Dollar or Yuan coin with reeded edge from year 3, which corresponds to 1914. PS - I had a longer look at the pictures - I would be a little unhappy with the faults at the edges on the reverse, and the weakness of strike on parts of the obverse. I am now more of the opinion that it is not right.
Here's just an fyi, on the obverse there looks to be a huge finger print on his shoulder area. The denticles on both sides are different sizes, smaller then begger. If you look at the denticles on the reverse you will see some that are smaller than the rest. Personally I think it's a fake but I've been wrong before so wait till the experts in this area chime in.
Besides the ding which has no bearing on authenticity, there are two questionable areas on the rim that raise questions in my mind. Have you weighed it yet?
Sounds dodgy to me. With all the other issues, I would have to conclude a fake. It may be that the fakers were producing a lot of blanks for striking into various fake Yuan/dollar coins of the time as other varieties do weigh in between 26.4 and 26.9 gms, but each variety has a precise weight, and this is too high for the fat man dollar.
its ok. thank you for help . At least I didn't pay for it. My friend gave it to me with bunch of other foreign coins
