I believe this is S. 306, H. 10.28 Zao Bian Wu Zhu. The Hartill listing mentions some of these were cast this way but this looks trimmed to my inexpert eye. Does anyone know how they were trimmed and how much was lost between this and the matching H. 10.27? Are they found in stacks threaded together with both halves or separated? When were these issued? Did they circulate at par with 'normal' coins? This seems like quite a bit of work for value received. Can someone suggest a good book on Chinese cash that is not primarily a catalog but discusses the how and why of issues rather than just assigning a number and adding occasional notes?
I have just acquired a similar coin, but the edges on mine are regular and smooth, so I assume it's one of the cast versions.
Doug, I collect some Chinese, in very specific areas, but not Zao Bian Wu Zhu. Have you tried searching and/or posting at the Yahoo group Ancient_Chinese_Coins? David Hartill, Scott Semans, and other very knowledgeable people post there. I am also frustrating with not being able to find such a resource. The best I have done is to pick up bits and pieces over the years and put them all together.
