These are Chinese dollars during the Kuang-hsu era (early 1900's).
Unfortunately, it is common for people to counterfeit these coins as they are rare. Usually one in fine condition can go up for $50 at least.
I don't know if you got the bottom two right, because the pictures with the side with the dragon "Shen-si" are exactly the same. It would most likely be fake anyway. The middle coin is the Shensi, so upload the right photo for the bottom one please.
The first one with the charm and the two dragons is supposed to symbolize longevity. Usually these are seen on counterfeited Tael coins, and nto commonly on dollar coins. I think this one's fake too.
I'm sorry if this disappoints you. Yet again, you can sell them on eBay or melt them down for bullion value, if there is any silver at all.
Kenny
- Verifying your Asian and British-territorial coins everyday with the best quality photos and the best information.
the bottom one is AN-HWEI province, got the photos mixed up, i may have got them all mixed up, will try again, enen if they are fakes there is nothing lost, as i mentioned they were given to me, i have 5 of these, 3 are identical and vary in the amount of wear on them, if faked do you have any idea of what time period they may have been produced? thanks smartone
Selling coins on eBay which are counterfeit is a violation of the Hobby Protection Act which requires any such coins to be stamped with the word "copy" or "replica". eBay policies also require complance and the title must include the words.
Yeah, i't not vigorously enforced as eBay are too busy counting their money to worry about something as trivial as their customers getting fleeced, but collectors do report fakes. The US Secret Service has the responsibilty for enforcement rather than the Treasury as one would expect.
PayPal have an even more stringent policy towards fakes - the buyer keeps the coin (as it would be borderline illegal to return it via USPS) AND they get a full refund including shipping. This is being fully exploited by several enterprising individuals.
This is meant in general terms and not directed towards the OP. I have no idea if the coins are genuine or fake, it's outside my area of interest.
Non illegitimis carborundum est. Excellent advice for all coins.
Make Numismatics Great Again!
have sold coins on ebay in the past, i would never knowingly sell a fake, could kick myself in the butt for selling some of my gold coins a few years ago, if there fake and have silver content they go into the melt pot, if sold they will be listed as counterfit. thanks for the info pnightingale
It says year 23 of Kuang-hsu, or 1897. It's Y#45.1.
Here's how you can tell if they're real or fake:
Put them out in the air for a few weeks and see if they tarnish. I've received a lot of two Chinese coins from eBay. One of them was obviously fake because it had Hupeh on one side and Chekiang on the other. But the other one, which was a Sinkiang 3 Mace 6 Candareens (50c), tarnished a little on the dragon and the edges.
Try it yourself. I'm pretty sure the first one isn't real, because it says Kwang-tung on one side and has a tael design on the other. The Shen-si coins have the correct designs, but they were patterns and were not issued.
Tell me how the tarnishing works out, and if it does, it may be real.
Kenny
- Verifying your Asian and British-territorial coins everyday with the best quality photos and the best information.
Just two examples from physics and chemistry.The simplest way to test if its silver or not - just using the magnet. Another way needs in silver nitrate (AgNO3) - just rub the coin. In case of copper-containing alloy the black spot emerges
Actually the first one is correct in design. It is a very rare coin minted for the birthday or something of the Kuang-Hsü Emperor. Worth about 150,000USD last time I saw. Before you get excited though, make sure it is decently heavy. Also, the two dragons seem off, seriously doubt it's real. The characters are also not sharp enough for this special coin.
Quote: fliegendehollanderActually the first one is correct in design. It is a very rare coin minted for the birthday or something of the Kuang-Hsü Emperor. Worth about 150,000USD last time I saw. Before you get excited though, make sure it is decently heavy. Also, the two dragons seem off, seriously doubt it's real. The characters are also not sharp enough for this special coin.
Мost coins look like modern replicas made in China for the tourists
Hello, I need a little help identifying my coin. following are two images, front and back. The coin is silver, it has "An-Hwei province one tael" ont the front, and measures about 45mm across. Thank you for any help.
I collect coins and tokens which circulated in Africa from 18th century to 2000. I sell about 7000 illustrated world coins from http://www.avscoins.com.
Thanks you for the reply Andrey. I am afraid the pictures are not very good. When I look the the coins you directed me too, the coloration and oxidation looks exactly the same. Assuming that it is a reproduction, could you still help me with the date and a little more about the coin? Thank you again... andrew (I have included a better image of the coin)
There does not seem to be any rust, it is a bluish tarnish like any silver would turn if exposed to the air for a long time. It looks well worn. But what I am really asking is; can anyone tell me what it says on the reverse of the coin!
Lately Chinese fakes are mostly made of non-magnetic alloys, therefore this one might not rust. This does not make it real though.
Here is a very similar fantasy Tael, with the only difference that it claims to be of Yunnan province. http://www.zeno.ru/showphoto.php?photo=30626
I collect coins and tokens which circulated in Africa from 18th century to 2000. I sell about 7000 illustrated world coins from http://www.avscoins.com.
Thank you Andrey for the information and references. I think I will take it out of the water! Well, I am not sure where to go from here so I think I will just put the coin away for now. Thanks again... Andrew
You also can try the 'ring' test.
Put the coin on the tip of your finger and tap it gently with something plastic.
Try the same with a real silver coin to hear the difference.
Here is how: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jar_5HSgA2k
but I do not use gloves and I tap it with something plastic
The high sweet tone is for me indeed an indication that it is fake.
Silver has a little bit other hihg sound.
These kind of coins are almost Always fakes.
I have never seen a real one.
It is indeed sometimes hard to accept it is fake. We all hope for a real one
Non est totum quod splendet ut aurum
Rijkdom bestaat niet uit het hebben van veel bezittingen, maar in het hebben van weinig behoeften
Some people 'dare' me to put it in water.. I do, and no rust. Others tell me to do the 'ping' test, I do and it pings... Even after passing the 'tests' everyone cries 'fake.' What was the point in telling me to do these tests?
All of those coins are ultra fake Chinese rubbish that would fool only the most gullible.
They are so bad I am laughing my head off.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
