The Missing Link- Coin Development in Southeast Asia

Awesome coins. I know nothing about Asian coinage, but can see that they are worth investigating for sure.

 

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I believe I am correct that there are a few coins known to exist in quantity zero. How? There were items published in European collections before we had two World Wars there but that have not been seen since. Considering the number of bombs dropped on both sides it is not hard to believe some coins were lost making a population one into a population zero. There are many coins known from one surviving specimen including many not in the major museums. To me it is very likely that there are many types that were made but every one was destroyed in the last 2000 years. Modern collectors take pride in rarities because the mintage was only 200,000. Ancient collectors just chuckle.

Several years ago I bought a junk lot of 34 coins on eBay because I saw one coin I wanted. Previously it was known to me only from a coin in the French National collection published by Cohen (C. 250; RIC IV, 1 p. 177, 634A) in the 1860's. I used to think mine was one of two known.

I was wrong. Earlier this year CNG sold another. I was assured by the BN in Paris that they still have theirs so now I know of three. No one else cared so I bought it.

We do not know how many more are out there lurking in some old collection or new hoard. In 100 years will there be four (forty?) or will a war make us go down to 2 or none?

 

You're going to inflate my ego with talk like that, but thanks

 

@dougsmit - Amazing and thanks for that information.

 

Hello new to this sight enjoy seeing so many different coin's. The conversation's can be funny at times too. A lot of since of humor. Anyway I found a coin that I am curious about hoping someone has a little knowledge about it.

 

Welcome.

I think you would be better of posting this in modern tokens or exonumia.
This is the ancient coin section and even more off the wall this is a thread about the development of coins in ancient southeast Asia.

I would bet money its a token or medal.

 

Welcome and stick around. The Ancients bug may bite.

 

Those are all really pretty, as TIF said. The missing link that this coin seems to satisfy is really cool. I think I might have some in my ancient Chinese stash, but they were not as interesting as yours.

This marker on your coin is exactly the same as the seal script version of "Wu" ("5") in Chinese. Any connection there?