FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board

Numismatic and History Discussion Forums => Other Types of Ancient Coins Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Joe Sermarini on April 18, 2021, 11:06:33 pm

Title: Chinese Cash Reverse Mold Off Center
Post by: Joe Sermarini on April 18, 2021, 11:06:33 pm
This coin is quite strange, with the reverse mold off center. I don't recall ever seeing this before. I have a hard time imagining how the mint could make this error. Chinese coin collectors and experts, please let me know, how rare or common is this type of error and any comments. Thanks.

China, Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Shen Zong, 1067 - 1085 A.D., 1 cash, Yuan Feng tong bao, running script, clockwise
Title: Re: Chinese Cash Reverse Mold Off Center
Post by: SC on April 20, 2021, 11:29:55 am
I'd call this casting flaw scarce.  Definitely not rare.

In my experience, they are not generally picked out of bulk lots.  They are found, as could be expected, on the high volume coinage.

I did a quick check, and of my legible reverses I have 5 on Tang Kai Yuan coins, 4 on value-1 Northern Song, and 2 on value-2 Northern Song.

Admittedly, not all have as severe a dislocation as yours.  Maybe 1/3 of mine do and the other 2/3 have less dislocation.

I have even seen rubbings of ones where the reverse has parts of two coins on it.

Definitely worth highlighting in a sales listing though, in my opinion, as they are still an interesting evidence of a casting flaw.

SC
Title: Re: Chinese Cash Reverse Mold Off Center
Post by: Joe Sermarini on April 20, 2021, 04:16:03 pm
Thanks Shawn.