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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,646 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4883 Posts |
I plucked this from a "bargain" bin today. It stood out for being obviously not a Ch'ing Dynasty issue, which is what you overwhemingly come across amidst world coinage culls. My first thought was that it might be from the earlier Ming Dynasty, but I'm not spotting a match among those. Perhaps it's not Chinese at all, but rather Japanese or even Korean?   Colligo ergo sum
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1915 Posts |
I think you may find it is Japanese.
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Pillar of the Community
Singapore
631 Posts |
I agree, looks like a Kuan Yong Tong Bao.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
695 Posts |
I believe your coin is from Japan, Kanei Tsuho,around AD 1768. But certainly 18th century. Commonly called a 'Tiger Tail' in view of the upper character's long tail.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1915 Posts |
aiglet7 is on the right track.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4883 Posts |
Yes, a Japanese 1 mon of the Kan'ei Tsuho type appears to be the correct identification. Unless I'm misunderstanding what I've read about these so far, the blank reverse would seem to date it to prior to 1768, and I'm not sure there's anything about it that'd exclude its having been minted as early as during the 17th century.
I'd further remark that it seems rather well made, certainly not nearly so crude as many Chinese cash coins. I'd judge it's also more copper/bronze than brass in composition.
Colligo ergo sum
Edited by Lucky Cuss
01/23/2019 11:44 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1915 Posts |
It may match Hartill 4.120 on page 48 of his Early Japanese Coins catalog.
Maybe this particular catalog reference number can help pin down a date or range of dates.
I didn't offer this info at first since the question was just which country.
I figured once on the right track then the OP and members can look it up instead of just being told.
Is there a preference out there?
1) just say what the coin is at first?
2) give some tips because the coin owner may enjoy the process of research and see the effort pay off?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1915 Posts |
It was too late to edit my post to say the coin is listed as "Scarce". So if found in a bargain bin I'd say it's a nice find.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4883 Posts |
Quote:
I figured once on the right track then the OP and members can look it up instead of just being told. That's fine by me, my attitude is just point me in the right direction, and I've no problem with taking it from there. I've gone about as far as I can in this case, though, as I can't find a webpage that shows the specific catalog number you've mentioned. Hartill 4.100 seems to the version that's most readily available. Quote:
...the coin is listed as "Scarce". So if found in a bargain bin I'd say it's a nice find. As one of a group I selected, it worked out to costing me 11¢. Colligo ergo sum
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1915 Posts |
H#4.100 isn't similar because it has a character on the back side. #4.103 is similar but no tiger tail, so #4.120 is it in my book.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4883 Posts |
Quote:
H#4.100 isn't similar because it has a character on the back side. Yes, I certainly noted the reverse character, but nonetheless it's similar insofar as it's also a Kan'ei Tsuho 1 mon - I was simply commenting on how if the 4.120 is scarce, the 4.100 appears to be relatively common, and therefore that's what I'm seeing pictures of online. Colligo ergo sum
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1915 Posts |
I agree since 4.120 is scarce, maybe it could be hard to find online.
I have some decent reference books for coins like this and bought them partly because of this forum.
So it's nice once in a while to find matches in my books for the coins people are asking about.
There are some nice books I have for China, Vietnam, Korea, Japan and others.
Far East, India, Islamic seem to be what people need help with most often
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,646 |
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Posted 01/23/2019 12:40 am
