I failed and this is an example of why I get burned out on Chinese coins because I do not read the language. Looking at the top and bottom characters I thought it would be easy to find Guang Zhong but I didn't find it on this size coin. There was a listing for the characters as a Annan (Viet Nam) coin Quang Trung but not on this size. I did not recognize the right and left characters but assume they read something like 'big coin' so I did not go further with them. That may have been my point of failure. I hope someone who does understand these coin will post this answer so I might figure out where I went astray.
The inscription is 光中重宝 which in Chinese reads guang zhong zhong bao. In Vietnamese, the reading would be quang trung trung bao. In Annam (Vietnam), Quang Trung (光中) was the reign title used by Nguyen Hue during the years 1788-1792. He cast coins with the inscription 光中通宝 (quang trung thong bao). Only 通宝 ("universal currency") coins were issued. There is no record that any 重宝 ("heavy currency") versions of the coin were ever issued. Therefore, the coin is a "fake" or, more accurately, a "fantasy" coin since no such coin ever existed. Also, the patina looks fake to me. This Chinese website has another specimen of the coin (34 mm, 10.9 grams) and the forum members there also question its authenticity. Gary
Thank you Gary - I appreciate the reply and all the info. I bought this coin in a lot and it only cost me about $1.00 so even though I thought it was a real coin I don't feel deceived - and I am fascinated by counterfeits so I'm still pleased with it. I do think this coin is old - maybe not as old as the coin it is trying to imitate - and going by my in hand inspection I don't think the patina is fake. Thanks again for your comments
