Old Chinese Copper Coins

I have several old Chinese copper coins such as these I inherited from a relative who was stationed in China during the Boxer Wars. I would like to learn more about these coins and their value. Any help out there?

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

I'm sure the experts here will help you out but I think the one on the lower left is a Japanese 1 sen from the Showa period.

 

I am glad to learn that. She was also stationed in the Phillipines for a while, too, and traveled extensively. I knew they were Asian.

 

Welcome to the forum Hidyaphrodite. Don't forget to use the "/" in the closing part of each tag when you are using font attributes, and make sure you have opening and closing brackets on each tag.

That's a good guess, as it does resemble a Showa sen (Y#47), but actually it's a Y#42, dated Taisho 9 (1920). It's 3.75g of bronze with a 23mm diameter and a catalog value of 15-50¢ in circulated condition. It would be worth about $4.50 if it were uncirculated.

The two on the right are definitely Chinese coins, and the top left is either a Chinese coin or a medal or token. If I get a chance later on this evening I'll see if I can find any more specific information on them.

 

That's a very interesting story that IMO adds to the coins alot.

Top-left and bottom right pieces are standard issue 20-cash (2c), while the upper-right piece is a Kiangsu province 1c. I'd need pics of the other side of those coins to attempt to further attribute them.

 

The upper-left piece dates 1909-11.

 

Wow, this is great. I have learned more today then I have been able to find out in the many years I have had these coins! I have attached a scan of the reverse side of the coins. These are just a sample as I have quite a few of these from various provinces, of various sizes, markings, etc. I guess I am trying to decide if they have any value or if I should make some necklaces out of some of these. They are so neat looking. I do thank all of you for your valuable information.

 

I agree. Without the other sides none of my references give any more information than ccgnum has posted. None of the Chinese coins have a date on the side in the pictures posted.

 

Let me try this again. My file didn't attach.

 

I don't see it.

 

Maybe 3 time will be the charm. Havin' some probs it would seem.

 

I guess I am not doing something right. I click on "go advanced", go through all the steps to attach a file, but nothing!

 

Hello,

Make sure your file size isn't too big, and don't click on the "Preview Reply" box. (your attachment will be lost)
Just go ahead and click on the "Submit Reply" box.

 

Ok, I have worked some on the photo and let me see if I can get it to attach this time.

 

Still not working for me. Hum, I just don't know what I am doing wrong! Back to the drawing board.

 

That was the problem! Here they are individually.

Unfortunately the Japanese sen is showing signs of bronze disease.

 

Is it fatal?

 

Contagious?

 

It usually is fatal to the value of the infected coin, as it usually can't be removed without damage to the coin.

Actually, it is, in a sense. It results primarily from humidity working on impurities in the alloy, but uninfected bronze coins can acquire damage from being in close contact with infected ones. It is not airborne, and no coin is in danger from just being near an infected one.

 

1. The upper left on your first photo is from 1909, 1st year of the Xuan Tong Era (perhaps you've heard about Puyi, the Last Emperor). So far so good, the date (chinese lunar cycle 己酉 ) indicates that it could be the Year of the Rooster in 1849, 1909, 1969 etc. This matches the Era indication on the coin. Face value is 20 mil or 0.2 or a cash cent.

2. The upper right is a 10 mil coin from the GuangXu Era, the date ( 癸卯 ) indiate it's from 1903. 卯 tells us that's it's Year of the Rabbit/Hare. The coin was made in KiangSoo or today's Jiangsu Province. The English and Chinese inscription regarding the location match.

3. There's not much more i can tell you about the Japanese sen.

4. This 20 mil coin is un-dated, except we know it's from the GuangXu Era (1875-1908). The coin is also non-specific about the location. Hu Poo is the transliteration of 戶部. I'm guessing it means Ministry of Finance or something of that sort.

All the swirly script you see on the Chinese coins is Manchu, the imperial script. Less than a 1000 or so people today are literate in this near extinct langauge today.

Your first 3 coins seem genuine (since many similar looking chinese coins are popular targets for counterfeits and forgeries). The last chinese coin i can't really tell without closer inspection. Nothing in the inscription disprove it otherwise. Your collection of Qing coins seems to originate from within a few years, so chances are they are genuine.