Ancient - Just a little bit of Cash!

I got this as freebie in a huge hoard of coins I just got.

I suspect it's of the Han Dynasty.

The coin is a testament to those with a small budget of days long ago.

If anyone can nail down this coin exactly I would appreciate it.

The coin seems to be uniface.

11 mm x 0.61g

Never seen anything like it!!!

 

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My first guess short of a better pic or dimensions would be a wu zhu. Sizes are very important in these, as are tiny details.

 

Yea my computer is shot so I had to upload this with my iPhone pic.

Thanks. I am glad you responded.

 

From the photo, it is only a guess but research the Goose Eye Wu Zhu, Hartill 10.29, S208 and see if you find similarity.

 

Maybe, but my goose eyes are a little smaller, but thicker than normal. However, if the coin feels too thick for its diameter, then Doug is on tthe right track.

 

Looks like a washer for a carriage bolt.

 

Just like some could say an ASE looks like a cheesy cheap ripoff of a coin design? They seem to have a lot of fans, and so do these. Every coin deserves a loving home, right?

 

Must agree with medoraman here, the coin needs a loving home, but one cannot deny the family resemblance to the washer!

 

Well Doug I think you are correct with Hartill 10.29. I also believe my orientation is correct in the photo.
I guess these were funerary pieces not really meant for circulation. I really don't know how true that is. From what I read there are many found in "As Cast" condition. Admittedly I can't say as I have ever seen one for sale at coin shows, and I never really looked online for them, but for a freebie, I am really pleased. This little guy got his own flip and as soon as my new computer arrives, I will post high res pictures of it.

I see these coins are given a blanket date of 2nd cent. BC to 1st cent. AD. Is there anyway of narrowing the dating of these. I know Ski sent me an online catalog of these coin types, but alas I was unable to open it due to the standing HDD problem have. I would love to hear any other information someone might have.

I am also surprised at the lack of love for this coin...If it were a denarius it would 10 x the views and 2x the responses...

 

I'm not.


More people are interested in Roman Denarii than Chinese coins.



Interesting coin Anoob!

 

...awww thanks WC....

 

Thierry, the leading Western-language author on Chinese coins, gives these diminutive issues to the time of Xuāndì to Yuándì, 73-33 BC. See BN, Chinoises II 288-307

 

Is there an online source , Ardy? Thanks again ai appreciate your help.

 

Great information Bill.

I would not give too much weight on the "funerary" idea myself. Wu zhu were made for long periods, by many rulers, in various weights. These coins are found in high grades, (I own a very nice example bought from Jen at CICF), so I do not buy these were only for donations. I simply believe they are thicker, smaller around wu zhu.

 

Yes, but if you require English, you will be sorely disappointed. Just be glad this is in French and not Chinese. NB - this was the preliminary research that the catalog was later based on. The catalog is more detailed, but this lays out the basic info.

http://www.persee.fr/web/revues/home/prescript/article/numi_0484-8942_1989_num_6_31_1946

 

Man, the French huh? Haven't they got the memo yet that the whole world speaks English?

 

Classics and, by extension, numismatics is one of the few fields that has yet to realize the benefits of using a standardized language. At least we don't often have to deal with Soviet publications anymore! Da, comrade?

 

Especially when the topic is Chinese coins, and China is the largest English speaking country!

 

All of my standard references on Sogdian and Khorezem coins says hi! I wish there were English alternatives, but its too tiny of a field unfortunately.

 

for a freebie that's awesome, i think the word "cute" is even appropriate. hi rez pics would be good...i think i can see some inscriptions, but hard to tell.