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 Replies: 11 / Views: 2,925 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
880 Posts |
Father found this in his bundle of coins and has no idea what it is or what it's made of. Not sure if it's gold (looks the same color as a gold coin) or a copy. Any assistance is appreciated. I can get you any information you need about it. Just let me know   Identified - moved to World Coins forum - Sap |
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New Member
United States
32 Posts |
Well its Japanese,which you probably already know, the crysamthum (The little Flower and the dragon are the same found on postage stamps of the 19th century. Also the Kanji (Writing) is japanese and not chinese. I had the priviledge of living there for 18 years. And at one time had a pretty kick butt japanese stamp collection
Edog
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
880 Posts |
Actually EDOG I did not know that. So that's a start! Now to find out more... thanks for a good starting point.
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New Member
United States
32 Posts |
Actually I can see the Kanji for Japan on it. I see the number 10 and 5 on it. And the symbol for year. The 3 symbols for Japan are between 9 and 12 o'clock. The cross is at 6 clock stands for "Ju" 10 The symbol at 3 oclock is "Go" 5.
I almost feel home sick
Edog
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Moderator
 Australia
16826 Posts |
The denomination is at the bottom of the bottom pic: 10 yen. The year is on the same side, on the left: Year 4 of the Meiji Era, which equates to 1871 AD. It should be about 28mm across and weigh 16.66 grams.
If genuine, it is indeed gold, and worth far far more than gold content. When my 2004 edition of the Krause 1800s world coin catalogue came out, the gold content of this coin was worth about $200, but this coin in this condition is listed at $5000. It's the sort of coin you'd definitely need to have verified for authenticity by an expert who can see it in hand.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
United States
880 Posts |
Well Sap that's enough info to get me in the right direction... And with a hope of something extra special. I will be sure to tell my father it's worth nothing at all ;). But seriously, I'll seek council to it's authenticity.
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
Beautiful coin, it looks 100% legit to me.
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Valued Member
United States
200 Posts |
A very quick way to check for gold is take it to a jeweler, they can use a chemical or mass-density test to at least say gold-no gold for ya.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
880 Posts |
I took a quick measurement this morning and I didn't have time to turn the computer on. I kept hoping what I took was what SAP said. Turns out... 28mm on the dot. My father in law has a gram scale that I'm taking it to sometime in the next few days.
Good idea tam, I have a local jeweler that I have done a lot of business with who will probably help me out. Old man said he would split it with me since I was doing all the leg work ;). I think that was when he thought it was going to be a few hundred. Called him up early this morning and he was quite excited to find out there's a chance it has a little more value.
And if anyone who has helped identify wants first dibs on this, you let me know.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
880 Posts |
If the mods want to move this thread to the appropriate forum that's fine too now that we know what it is.
So I talked to the old man and I think I'm going to take the advice here and get it authenticated and graded. I'm 95% sure it's legit, but I have no clue how to grade this. The prices for the coin seem to vary pretty heavily too, so that's going to be a big factor of what it's worth. The coin is in beautiful shape, but from dealing with the limit amount of gold I have - it doesn't appear to have full luster. It also has a rim bur which could take a lot of value away from this - honestly not sure.
Father also told me that he paid about $150 for this coin back in the 90's... Just another reason making think I need to start buying gold coins rather than silver!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
880 Posts |
Lastly - see some better pictures of this coin (still not great, but better) and help me decide a grade! https://goccf.com/t/90208 |
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Moderator
Australia
16826 Posts |
Quote:
If the mods want to move this thread to the appropriate forum that's fine too now that we know what it is. Done.  Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Replies: 11 / Views: 2,925 |
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Posted 06/05/2011 9:40 pm
