Welcome to the forum Rod. I might be able to help you if I knew what coin you are asking about. "glitery sandy" sounds like a cast coin, which is fine if you are asking about a cash coin, but indicative of counterfeit if you are asking about a struck coin.
If that is a valid coin reverse, it belongs on a Chinese struck coin, but a look at the other side is essential. Conceivably it could be a Provincial or national coin from Empire days, or a mainland Republic coin. I doubt that it would be a Taiwanese or Communist coin.
That's a common bronze Taiwan 1 Dollar coin minted 1981+ (KM-551). Not even worth enough to counterfeit.
Hello everyone. I had some trouble getting the picture to work. I will try the picture of the other side. Thanks Rodney.
The picture confirms Tbirde's attribution. The coin is dated as Year 70 of the Republic, which was 1981. Calling it a "common" coin is an understatement as mintage was 1.08-Billion. Since an Unc is liberally cataloged at 15¢, yours has essentially no resale value. At least 17-billion+ more were struck over the next 16 years. Krause doesn't list any later 1 Yuan coins, and doesn't seem to have anything listed for Taiwan after 1998, so there could actually even be a whole bunch more.
The texture of the coin seems odd. And just because it is a low value doesn't mean it can't be a counterfeit. Remember wages in China are MUCH lower than here which could make it worthwhile. Also the have been plenty of counterfeit low value US coins as well. I own a cast counterfeit 1965 quarter, at one time I had a 1974 nickel made out of lead, and back in 1999 there was a couple traveling up the east coast paying their way using fake 1999 quarters that had the eagle reverse on them last used in 1998. I have also seen fake SBA's and Sac dollars intended for circulation. And don't forget the Henning mint fake nickels of 1944 without mintmarks (plus several other dates).
