FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board
Numismatic and History Discussion Forums => Other Types of Ancient Coins Discussion Forum => Topic started by: coldavo on December 08, 2019, 04:39:45 am
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Hi All,
I have just received two coins that were found by a friend on a beach in Indonesia. One is in, more or less, reasonable condition but the other is well corroded. The better coin is about 23mm in diameter and 3.25 grams in weight.
On first glance they appear to be Chinese cash but I can't place them. Both coins have the same obverse design which I cannot place and their reverse appears to be the normal "Board of Works Mint of Peking". However although the actual reverse characters themselves are similar, the poor condition coin shows its characters in the normal left/right placement whereas the better condition coin shows them in the top/bottom style.
Both coins have a flat area at about 1 o'clock where probably a casting sprue has been removed and the quality of the casting of the better coin does not appear to be as good as the normal Chinese coins (although this could possibly be attributed to its condition).
I presume that they are a local casting and would appreciate any information that members of the Forum can give me.
All the best,
Col
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Compare with this Indonesian imitation:
https://www.zeno.ru/showphoto.php?photo=229418
Xiang Fu Yuan Bao
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Hi Ralf T,
That was quick - and you nailed it exactly.
I used your information, translated it into my book's style of Chinese and came up with it being a copy of Cresswell 89 Hsiang Fu T'ung Pao 1008AD - 1016Ad. With that information I found the link: http://www.numismall.com/acc/Rare-tin-Zhi-Dao-Yuan-Bao-Chinese-style-cash-issued-ca.1000-1100-AD-Malaysia.html which gives a lot more information - but it finally comes down to the fact that not much is known of them. see below:
"Fascinating Chinese-style Xiang Fu Yuan Bao / Boo Chiowan cash imitating both Song and Qing dynasty Chinese coins, issued ca.18th century, Indonesia
Four crude Chinese characters (regular script) Xiang Fu Yuan Bao / Manchu characters Boo Chiowan. 25mm, 4.19 grams. Issued in the 18th century or slightly later. Not properly studied and seems unpublished. cf. Zeno #52047 / 82628 / 83465.
The reverse is cast at 90 degree left.
The obverse of these coins is copied from the Xiang Fu Yuan Bao cash produced by Emperor Zhen Zong (998-1022) of the Northern Song dynasty. The Manchu reverse is copied from the Qing dynasty cash from the Board of Revenue mint. These very rare and unusual coins are found in Indonesia, though (very strangely) it seems that a few coins of this type were unearthed in the Lugansk area in Ukraine (see Zeno #81628 and 83465). The coins are very crudely produced and cast in tin or brass alloy of some sorts. The coins were never properly researched and remain very rare. We do not know which of the Indonesian (or possibly Malaysia) Kingdoms produced these coins."
I had already gone right through Cresswell and couldn't find a match that I thought was close.
Thank you for your help - it is very much appreciated.
All the best,
Col