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 Replies: 15 / Views: 3,306 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
This is now identified so I changed the title. I was in a coin shop about 30 years ago and saw this and bought it for maybe 8 bucks. I remember because I bought a heart shaped 1/2 oz cameo Panda the same day and I'm sure I didn't spend more than $20.00 at that coin shop ... ever! Anyway, I asked what it was and I wrote down a note and have kept it with this ever since. Labeled it: Korea ( Corean ) Coin Charm Amulet
17th or 18th Century. I have no idea if that is anywhere near accurate. Now I am going through some odds and ends and thought if it were a good token I'd really like to know. It appears it was lacquered long ago and most likely cleaned beforehand. It's about 1 1/4 in square in size and fairly thin as a dime maybe. Thanks for your ideas on this.    *** Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum. ***Edited by TNG
03/15/2017 01:11 am
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Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
You had me looking all over. couldn't find a thing like it altho "ancient Korean cast bronze butterfly charm/jewelry seemed to pull up examples that were not filled, more wirelike, Chinese was similar. I don't think just by it's basic design it is more than tourist junk, too undefined in detail...kinda like fake coins. Don't think its a charm or pendant, no dangle to connect to bracelet/chain. Has the center square similar to ancient Asian coins but think it is more a contemporary manufacture. The butterfly shape has some kind ofr meaning, rebirth? Metamorposis? So maybe this is something sold as good luck, in Chinese-American restuarants?  |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
10284 Posts |
OK so I got lucky. My eyes hurt, but I found it. I had written down the correct wording on the note and that is exactly what this is.  I believe this is just one small piece of a larger piece. These had a number of amulets or charms that are joined together in a casting and could be broken off. I am sure a whole one of these would be quite a find. No doubt there were more than one of each made. I don't know what these are called but they make me think of Chinese coin trees. If you look, maybe you can see a butterfly in the center of figure 3. These must have been a large as hand I suppose when whole.  Found Frederick Starr: Corean Coin Charms and Amulets, A Supplement. VIII:42-79. A couple images I grabbed up from the downloaded pdf. Edited by TNG
03/15/2017 01:07 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
I'm sorry Crazy .... I feel your pain, thanks for looking tho.
It appears I went about as far as I could. Very kind of you.
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Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
Hmmmm, characters golden/vessel/food...lighted jewel Sounds like McDonald's Golden Arches...  Sorry don't know any more, just like challenge to research a bit. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
I sent you a PM email of thanks Crazy.
I don't really check my email much but wanted to thank you again.
EDIT UPDATE:
Got your email reply - thanks!
Edited by TNG
03/15/2017 11:58 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
Happy meal ! I think it's real  |
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Valued Member
Korea, Republic Of
489 Posts |
I just attended a coin, bill and charm auction here in Seoul, Korea this past saturday and there was a charm sold that looks similar to the one you have here. When I get home today, I will post the picture from the auction and its sell price.
The picture I post will be the real thing; certified by Poongsan and Hwadong here in Korea. You can compare the two and make your judgement.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
That is very kind of you Lembafc. I sure would appreciate info and value of the one you saw there.
Thank you!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
Lembafc, I looked up Poongsan and Hwadong auction and I thought I found it but that link appears gone now.
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Valued Member
Korea, Republic Of
489 Posts |
Sorry I am so late with the reply. Below is a screen shot of the sold item at our recent auction here in Seoul. The item sold for 420,000Won or about $390.00.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
Thank you very much Lembafc, Glad you found it. I can't be that lucky. If they made cast copies, maybe I have a fake? On the other hand, if these are really old and it is a portion of a larger charm that was broken off or separated somehow and then neglected, cleaned up and lacquered ... well maybe. Do you know the age of the original you show? |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
Here's a side by side. Maybe they made copies of a lot of charms. Your image looks brass, I have to dig this back out. Maybe a magnet will stick to mine?  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
Some comments about copies taken from some text pertaining to
Cast Korean Coins and Charms Hardcover - November 12, 2013
by Wybrand Op den Velde (Author), David Hartill (Author)
catalog description.
Warning to collectors: Koreans believe (correctly?) that charms were made at Seoul-area mints, which would make them, unlike Chinese, Japanese, and other charms, a sort of official commemorative coinage. Thus, pieces which do not appear to be "original" are valued at little in the Korean market. The majority of charms found outside Korea are copies of the the 1950-60s, or earlier, so collectors should be wary of paying significant money for a piece based on apparent rarity. The photos in this work are not large enough for authentication. Close comparison to the color photos in the two Korean charm works, or a Korean auction catalog may help, but apparently even advanced Korean collectors will differ on what is an "original."
I would assume now that I have a fake. This was a good learning experience and I'm glad I probably paid what it is worth. Maybe it's even worth 10 bucks today as a copy.
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Valued Member
Korea, Republic Of
489 Posts |
This listing was grouped in the "Joseon Charms" section. Meaning the original is from a time period that ran from 1392 until the 1900s. The catalog says these charms were made around the Sukjong 4 year so the real piece was made in the mid 1600s to mid 1700s.
But yes, it does not look authentic. I would expect the makeup of the charm to be similar to the coins used back then with maybe a little more copper.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
This has been an educational thread thanks to you Lembafc, for myself, and for those who pass this way in the future. Thanks a lot and happy collecting to you!  Edited by TNG
04/02/2017 10:42 am
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Replies: 15 / Views: 3,306 |
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Posted 03/15/2017 12:47 am
