Have No Idea What This Is | Large Coin-Like Chinese Charm

It's a Chinese charm.

The top image is the obverse side and is upside-down. The charm needs to be rotated 180 degrees to be orientated correctly.

The inscription reads zhao cai jin bao which has the meaning of "money and treasures will be plentiful" or "attracts wealth and treasure".

Between each of the four Chinese characters are symbols. For example, in the top image, the symbol at the seven o'clock position is the "double lozenge" which is one of the "eight treasures".

You can compare your "double lozenge" with the one located at the four o'clock position on this charm: http://primaltrek.com/eighttreasure...ht_treasures

You can learn more about the "double lozenge" here: http://primaltrek.com/impliedmeaning.html#lozenge

Also, at the one o'clock position can be see a swastika. More information on the swastika can be found here: http://primaltrek.com/impliedmeaning.html#swastika

An ancient Chinese coin with swastikas can be seen here: http://primaltrek.com/charmcoins.html#swastika

The image is too blurry for me to identify the symbols at the five o'clock and eleven o'clock positions but they are very likely also members of the "eight treasures": http://primaltrek.com/eighttreasures.html

Unfortunately, the bottom image (reverse side) is not clear enough for me to identify anything.

Gary

Both charms are orientated correctly.

Regarding the first charm (top image), the only thing I can add to my previous post is that the symbol at the five o'clock position is a rhinoceros horn. The rhino horn is also one of the "eight treasures" and it provides a visual pun as explained here: http://primaltrek.com/impliedmeanin...oceros_horns

Identifying an "eight treasure" symbol (there are many more than just "eight") can sometimes be difficult. I regret that I cannot identify the one at the eleven o'clock position. Perhaps another forum member can help you.

The reverse side (second image) of the charm is interesting. There appears to be a man pushing a wheelbarrow.

What is inside the wheelbarrow?

That is explained by the strange line that extends from the wheelbarrow to the top of the charm. This "line" is the equivalent of the "speech balloon" you see in comic strips. The Chinese in this "speech balloon" says "duo cai duo fu" which translates as "more wealth, more good fortune".

The second charm (images three and four) is a reproduction of a charm that was originally issued to celebrate the birthday (probably 60th) of Emperor Sheng Zu (Kangxi)(1662-1722) of the Qing (Ch'ing) Dynasty. Coins cast during his reign had the inscription kang xi tong bao. (See http://primaltrek.com/charmfeatures.html#kang_xi)

The charm cast to celebrate his birthday had a slightly different inscription (different character to the right of the square hole). The inscription on the charm is kang xi zhong bao which means "kang xi heavy currency" to imply it is more valuable.

The reverse side of the charm (fourth image) has two small Chinese characters (one above and one below the hole) which read bao quan and is meant to indicate the mint where the charm was cast.

The original charms of this type have two dragons, one on each side of the square hole. It appears to me, however, that your charm has a dragon on the right and a phoenix on the left.

While it is always difficult to judge from a few small images, I feel that neither of your charms are "old". The quality of the metal and casting, as well as the style of calligraphy, are just "not right".

Although both appear to be later, and perhaps modern, reproductions they still provide an interesting insight into ancient Chinese culture.

Gary