Tang emperor gaozu

I got my first Tang coin, it is rare variety with a dot(star)

China, Tang Dynasty, Emperor Gaozu (618-626 AD, 1st emperor), Kai Yuan Tong Bao 開元通寶. 3.36g, 25.09mm, bronze. Obv.: Big Characters narrow 'Yuan' type, star/dot below 'Bao' 寶下星. Unlisted in Hartill.

 

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Here's my Tang coin...



It has a little crescent on the reverse you can barely see at the top of this picture.



If I remember correctly there is a story that an empress stuck her fingernail in one of the molds to make that mark. I don't think it's ture, but a neat story.

 

Here's my Kai Yuan, the reverse (not shown) is plain. I haven't attributed it to Hartill type, but the form of Yuan and slightly silvery color of the metal indicate this coin is from early in the Tang period, likely from the reign of the Gaozu Emperor.

 

Here’s my crusty one. It’s either a middle or late type. There are no special markings.

 

it's strange how these yuan tong bao coins have same patina as much older knife or even QIN ban liang coins. I expected that the older ones have more patina and sign of age.
here is my Ming knife and wang mang and QIN ban liang coins these were part of an old collection from 1940s and got them from CNG.

 

Maybe crstmat71's empress's fingernail survived to tell the tale ? Personally, I don't find these ancient Chinese coins particularly exciting. However, they would certainly have a part in the history of numismatics.

 

@Bert Gedin I also don't collect these as my mainstream specially since they are faked a lot , but I have few just to cover enough of ancient china

 

arashpour. I prefer a coin with an attractive illustration, unless the other coin is an example of some significant event in world history.

 

@Bert Gedin I agree that is why I like design of roman and greek most they have best illustration and art on their coins but chinese coins also have historical value as one of the most ancient and interesting histories. for example the finger nail story is really fascinating if it was true.

 

I have two Tang, but they are Su Zong. My best guess at the Hartill numbers.

(I had to edit this post because I saw Tang but ignored Gaozu . Decided best to leave the post than "deleting" it )

14.116




14.101, Value ten

 

the nail story is just that... a story

 

I has a horsie. See?

(Ming: Chong Zhen/Si Zong, 1628-1644.)

My most colourful coin is Tang (Su Zong, 756-762.) I call it my crayola coin, but believe it or not, it's genuine patina:

 

I'm interested to hear more about the dot/star @arashpour. Do tell! Is it certain that this issue is from Gaozu?

 

@Severus Alexander Good question I am not sure what the dot/star represent but it seems unlisted in Hartill . My guess is it could be some type of mint mark for a city or banker etc. if anyone else have opinion or guess I like to hear. This issue is defenitely early Tang if not Gaozu but in 7th century for sure. The same type without star is attributed to Gaozu.

 

Guys, does anyone know what dynasty this belongs to? I guess sui? or northern wei? but I am not expert in chinese coins. Also does it look authentic? I bought this in china but it seems it was authenticated in a chinese slab similar to NGC but not sure how trustworthy is their slabs lol

 

Western Wei Dynasty, Emperor Wen Di, 446 - 456 AD. Hartill 10.25, G&F B8.66.

I know nothing of the Chinese slabs.

 

@Ken Dorney Thanks for info the seller told me it was Sui but I guess he didn't know. Does the coin look authentic? Is the style patina etc is ok? usually i have seen these coins with green bronze patina but this one has black patina which is a bit strange but I haven't seen as many Chinese coins to judge if it is normal or not. I appreciate your feedback.

 

Most of the older references will attribute them to Sui, but new research in the past decade or so has changed it. Many dealers with old stock or books will list Sui. Looks authentic from what I can see, and honestly there isnt any reason to fake one of these. Its a nice example with excellent contrasting patina and soil, and nicely highlights the side bar to the left of Wu which isnt always visible.

 

Thanks @Ken Dorney for nice comment yes I like its soil encrustations too

 

So are any Sui coins known?