Help Identifying Coin Made Into A Small Container. Chinese? British?

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Author	Replies: 14 / Views: 798
Roma2021 Pillar of the Community Italy 1130 Posts	Posted 12/02/2023 11:29 am Hello everyone, I came across this item today but have not purchased it yet. It was described (roughly translated from Italian) as an "old Chinese pill box" ANY thoughts would be appreciated! Report this Post to the Staff

cdn44fan Valued Member Canada 221 Posts	Posted 12/02/2023 1:50 pm Hi, Its a Tibet Rupee 1903-05 found it in my World coins Catalog Report this Post to the Staff
Sharks Pillar of the Community Canada 1761 Posts	Posted 12/02/2023 2:02 pm Perhaps a vintage Chinese opium container? Depending on reasonable price I would purchase it, just because it's interesting and rather unique. Edited by Sharks 12/02/2023 2:05 pm Report this Post to the Staff
Roma2021 Pillar of the Community Italy 1130 Posts	Posted 12/02/2023 3:07 pm Thank you! I'll take the lead and look it up... It will discount in a few days so I may go back and buy it. I have to imagine it's a genuine coin since I doubt anyone would distress it that much; I also doubt the bottom coin will be possible to attribute Thank you both! Edited by Roma2021 12/02/2023 3:27 pm Report this Post to the Staff
kbbpll Pillar of the Community United States 4233 Posts	Posted 12/02/2023 6:32 pm I also think it's an opium box. They came in all shapes and sizes. These are from the opium museum in the Golden Triangle area of Thailand. Report this Post to the Staff
HondoB Bedrock of the Community United States 25056 Posts	Posted 12/02/2023 6:52 pm Buy it, Roma! I would - it's really cool! Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures Report this Post to the Staff
kbbpll Pillar of the Community United States 4233 Posts	Posted 12/02/2023 6:58 pm I think it more closely matches the Tibet ½ Rupee - In the name of Guangxu, 1875-1908. https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces91456.html Report this Post to the Staff
Roma2021 Pillar of the Community Italy 1130 Posts	Posted 12/03/2023 2:40 pm Hello everyone, So I bought the (likely) opium container today... Turns out it discounted today. So I am comfortable with what I paid. Here are a few more images... The top coin is 24 mm. Report this Post to the Staff
Sharks Pillar of the Community Canada 1761 Posts	Posted 12/03/2023 2:52 pm Glad to hear you purchased it. A great conversation piece. Edited by Sharks 12/03/2023 2:53 pm Report this Post to the Staff
HondoB Bedrock of the Community United States 25056 Posts	Posted 12/03/2023 3:25 pm Excellent, Roma! It's exactly the kind of oddity that I find attractive. The size confirms kbbpll's identification of it as a ½ Rupee. Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures Report this Post to the Staff
Roma2021 Pillar of the Community Italy 1130 Posts	Posted 12/03/2023 3:28 pm I'm usually not into coins that have been turned into things but this one was interesting from go... Thanks everyone for your help. Report this Post to the Staff
january1may Pillar of the Community Russian Federation 5172 Posts	Posted 12/03/2023 3:39 pm Intriguing item! I can't say for sure, but it looks like the coin on the other side might be a Chinese provincial 2 jiao from the early 1920s, similar to this type. Report this Post to the Staff
Roma2021 Pillar of the Community Italy 1130 Posts	Posted 12/03/2023 3:56 pm Thanks @january; Looking at a few similar 20 jiao, it looks like the reverses were similar enough where it would hit the same time period. Thanks so much! Edited by Roma2021 12/03/2023 3:57 pm Report this Post to the Staff
kbbpll Pillar of the Community United States 4233 Posts	Posted 12/03/2023 6:11 pm I wonder if you would have a problem traveling with it, i.e. drug sniffing dogs. 5th image appears to show the inside coated in black residue. 2 Jiao is also 24mm so it seems we've ID'd both ends. The top coin minted 1904-1912 and bottom 1919-1925 seems to date it to no earlier than 1919. Report this Post to the Staff
Roma2021 Pillar of the Community Italy 1130 Posts	Posted 12/03/2023 6:28 pm @kbb, I live here so I don't plan on traveling with it any time soon...and I may use it as an incense holder & Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 14 / Views: 798

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