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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;manymore, post: 561045, member: 17118&quot;]Actually, it&#039;s a Chinese charm and not a coin.</p><p><br /></p><p>Chinese charms are traditionally cast as opposed to struck from dies.</p><p><br /></p><p>To view the inscription in its correct orientation, the charm should be rotated about 90 degrees counterclockwise.</p><p><br /></p><p>The inscription is written in an old seal script and is read top to bottom and right to left as <i>ming huang yu ying</i>.</p><p><br /></p><p>Like a number of other Chinese charms, it is unclear as to what this inscription really means.&nbsp; Most Chinese reference books do not even make an attempt.&nbsp; It may be an obscure reference that has now been lost in history.</p><p><br /></p><p>I have an idea as to what it means but would need to do some research before I would have confidence in its accuracy.</p><p><br /></p><p>This type of charm is usually referred to as&nbsp; a &quot;marriage&quot; charm.&nbsp; The reverse side displays four amorous couples in different sexual positions.&nbsp; Most Chinese would say that the purpose of the charm is to instruct newlyweds on their wedding night.</p><p><br /></p><p>Incidentally, the vast majority of these particular charms are modern reproductions.</p><p>&nbsp; </p><p>Unfortunately, I cannot really say much about your particular specimen because the image is not clear enough. </p><p><br /></p><p>It is quite a coincidence that you should post your charm at this time.&nbsp; Just this week I started writing a short article on a similar charm that I have.&nbsp; It has the same four couples on the reverse but a different inscription.</p><p><br /></p><p>In the next week or so, I plan to include the charm with description at <a href="http://primaltrek.com/marriage.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://primaltrek.com/marriage.html" rel="nofollow">Chinese Marriage Charms</a> on my website dedicated to <a href="http://primaltrek.com" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://primaltrek.com" rel="nofollow">Ancient Chinese Charms</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p>Gary[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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