We were given this by a family member (who is an avid art collector), but neither coins nor China are his area of specialty so I don't know how accurate his description of this item is. Can anybody help identify it? I know that some of these specimens aren't coins but charms, and many are fakes. Is this worth something or just a nice decorative piece? It is quite large, 68mm in diameter. I have a picture of the obverse only, my scanner screwed up the reverse. I'll work on getting that uploaded but if anyone can tell me anything in the meantime I'd appreciate it.
About all I can tell you is that you have posted the reverse picture upside down. We do have a few real experts on Chinese cash coins, and I'm sure one will be along soon.
Xian Feng tong bao, 100 Cash. H#22.784, FD2526, KM C#10-18. 1853-1855 Fuzhou, Fujian mint. KM pricing-- G 35 VG 50 F 75 VF 125
The reverse scan is the right way up. Legend is Yi (top) Bai (bottom) Boo (left) Fu (right). The coin is Hartill 22.784 - type 2, One dot tong. Hartill's illustration indicates a size around 72mm.
Try this one: http://www.calgarycoin.com/reference/reference.htm or Zeno.ru Better still, buy a copy of Hartill's Cast Chinese Coins......well worth about $45
