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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Ardatirion, post: 997637, member: 9204&quot;]Chinese coins are a remarkably affordable collectible. Not only were they produced in tremendous quantities, but they were (and still are) widely counterfeited. For example - its estimated that during the 19th century more *unofficial* coins were cast than official issues! I&#039;m sure that, if you&#039;re studying Chinese language and culture, you&#039;ve noticed their unique attitude towards counterfeiting! Not to worry though, if you stick to a few reputable sources, you should have few problems with fakes. </p><p><br /></p><p>Gxseries&#039; site is a good introduction to late 19th/early 20th century struck Chinese bronze coins. Have a look at my &quot;Chinese/East Asian&quot; gallery in the link in my signature for more ancient coins. If you&#039;re interested in those, I highly recommend buying a copy of David Hartill&#039;s <b>Cast Chinese Coinage</b>. It covers everything from the earliest cowrie shells to the final cast issues of the Republic of China. </p><p><br /></p><p>Here&#039;s some random interesting ones.</p><p><br /></p><p>This one was likely cast during the reign of the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang:</p><p><img src="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18271/normal_ban_liang2.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>Late Qin to early Han Dynasty</p><p>Ban Liang type c. 300-187 BC</p><p>31mm, 6.61g</p><p>Hartill 7.7</p><p><br /></p><p>This one was cast under one of the Han dynasty&#039;s greatest emperors, Han Wu Di:</p><p><img src="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18271/wuzhu1.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>Western Han Dynasty</p><p>Wu Zhu type under Han Wudi, 115-113 BC</p><p>Hartill 8.9; Thierry 3</p><p><br /></p><p>The characters on this coin are written in the &quot;slender gold script,&quot; the personal calligraphy of Emperor Hui Zong:</p><p><img src="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18271/Hui_Zong%2C_10_cash%2C_1101-1125_AD.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>Hui Zong, Chong Ning reign</p><p>Northern Song Dynasty</p><p>10 cash, 1102-1106 AD</p><p>slender gold script</p><p>Hartill 16.399</p><p><br /></p><p>And lastly, this is a coin of the famous Kangxi emperor:</p><p><img src="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18271/Kangxi%2C_1_cash%2C_1680-1899%2C_Board_of_Works_mint.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>Sheng Zu, Kang Xi reign</p><p>Qing Dynasty</p><p>1 cash, 1680-circa 1690 AD</p><p>(24mm; 2.35g; 12h)</p><p>Board of Works Mint</p><p>Hartill 22.95; Hartill <i>Qing</i>6.22 var. (diameter)[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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