I've been going through my collection, and I keep getting stuck on the same coins that have been tough to ID in the past, so maybe someone here could help? The first is a japanese yen, I'm not sure of the year, or why it has so many symbols punched into it. The second is another coin that I believe is japanese, front(or back) says "Tai-Ching Ti Kuo Copper Coin" the rest is in another language. It was hard to get a good picture of it, so let me know if you'd like another. I have a few more, but I don't want to jam them all into one thread, maybe I'll add more later? Thanks!
The year is Meiji year 27, or 1894 AD. The symbols punched in are Chinese chopmarks, placed on the coin to validate its silver content for circulation in China. The Japanese also put chopmarks on their own 1 yen coins of this period for use in their colonies, but those marks are different.
This is a 10 cash coin from China, Chekiang province. These were minted from 1903-1906, I can't tell if this one has a more specific date. Correction: It must be 1906.
Thanks for the info! I've always liked the yen, but looking at and trying to figure out the symbols has always made my head hurt!:bigeyes: Were the chinese chop marks typically made during any kind of war occupation, or just in general?
Normal Chinese chop marks were made as matter of routine, and appear on a multitude of foreign coins that circulated there. And I should say that I'm not completely sure that these particular chops are Chinese, only that they are not the Japanese 'gin' countermark that is commonly seen on these pieces. Eventually someone will be along that will have more comprehensive information.
I agree with the year 1906. As far as to where the coin was produced, the small Chinese character in the very middle of the obverse side is not zhe for Zhejiang (Chekiang) Province but rather e for Hubei (Hupei) Province. Unfortunately, I do not have reference books for this type of coin so I am unable to offer any additional information. Gary
Yes, oops, I see that now. Krause photos are not so great. This design came out almost identically in various provinces.
