Can you help me identify this Chinese Character Coin?!

The first thing you can do is give it the "magnet test". If the coin sticks to a magnet, then it's fake.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Already did that!! It's not!!

 

Well, you've overcome one hurdle, but there are others up ahead.
Given that your coin would apparently be quite valuable if it were real, I would certainly consider sending it (registered, with a generous amount of insurance) to a grading service like NGC or ANACS.

As for the meanings of the inscriptions, my language of expertise is Japanese rather than Chinese, so I can translate only a few parts. Your coin says "Xian Feng year 6" (=1856)
Shanghai County

and on the other side
1 silver tael.

I'm sorry I can't be of more help with the inscriptions.

 

Well, you've overcome one hurdle, but there are others up ahead.
Given that your coin would apparently be quite valuable if it were real, I would certainly consider sending it (registered, with a generous amount of insurance) to a grading service like NGC or ANACS.

As for the meanings of the inscriptions, my language of expertise is Japanese rather than Chinese, so I can translate only a few parts. Your coin says "Xian Feng year 6" (=1856)
Shanghai County

and on the other side
1 silver tael.

I'm sorry I can't be of more help with the inscriptions.

 

Nice thanks again so much! I appreciate it! :thumb:

 

I would translate as follows:

Obverse: Xian Feng 6th year (1856), Shanghai District "Yu Sen Sheng (Bank)", pure silver cake
(these coins were referred to as "silver cake" because of their shape)

Reverse: "Shanghai Customs" inspected tax scale, real weight "one tael" silver, made by silversmith "Feng Nian"

Unfortunately, I am sure your coin is a reproduction. Authentic specimens have outstanding calligraphy such as this one which was in the collection of Mr. Ma Dingxiang who was one of the most famous Chinese numismatists of the 20th century.

By comparison, the calligraphy on your coin looks "dull and dead".

Incidentally, authentic coins are very rare. China has even minted a series of commemorative coins honoring rare issues such as this coin. An example of the commemorative coin (different silversmith) is the second coin shown here.

Gary

 

Thanks for looking!!

 

When they made the commemortive coin... do they make them out of silver?
You say it looks dead an dul... I found a coin that looks exactly like ours check it out. I had to save the picture an make it large to see it a little better... let me know what you think...

http://translate.googleusercontent.c...dagwKIXzRs8U3g

 

so does anyone know what it says?

 

couple posts up manymore translated it...