Hello, I tried posting this yesterday unsuccessfully hopefully it won't post multiple times. Anyhow I need some help identifying these three coins. The larger appears quite old and is very thin from wear. Any help much appreciated.
I think the first coin is actually from Annam (Vietnam) and not China but, because of the wear, I cannot be sure. Please take a look at the third coin (Canh Thinh Thong Bao) from the bottom at this web page and see if it is the same coin. The second and third coins are Chinese. The inscription reads guang xu tong bao and the coins were minted during the reign of Emperor De Zong (1875-1908). The second coin is cast and was produced at the Board of Revenue mint. There are a number of varieties of this coin and they were cast during the years 1887-1905. The third coin is struck (machine-made) and was produced at the mint in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province during the years 1906-1908. Gary
Thank You very much for the info. The larger coin is indeed the Vietnam coin you mentioned (great eye!). I had about 20 of these coins at one time but could never identify them so traded them off for other coins years ago. Thanks again for the info
The first coin looks to me like a Canh Hung Thong Bao cast under King Hien Tong (1740-86). Ref Toda 76 Second coin is a Guang Xu Tong bao 1 cash, cast at the Board of Revenue Beijing mint North Branch (Protruding head Boo on reverse). If it's diameter is greater than 20mm, it's Hartill 22.1278 cast 1887-98. Less than 20mm, Hartill 1280 cast 1900-08. Third coin is a machine made Guang Xu Tong Bao 1 cash produced at the Guangdong mint 1906-08. Hartill 22.1336
