Is it a coin, token or play money?

[sodiumrye]

Found this some time ago in NW Missouri and always wanted to send it in but the pencil rub never came out very well. Now I have a scanner, (even tho I am not very good with it) I thought i would let you all have a shot at this. Even though I am new here I have been MD'ing off and on since 1979. I have had two metal detectors and I am still swingin the old Garrett master hunter ADS2 and I have to tell ya it's a dime finding sonofagun. Anyway back to this coin(?) it has a dragon on it and Chinese writing I think. Doesn't matter if its any thing or not, it has a dragon and that's a keeper to me

 

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[Bigcypresshunter]

Yours is pretty corroded but is this it? http://www.zeno.ru/showphoto.php?photo=48873

This piece is believed to have been made for a Worlds Fair or Chinatown in the United States. These pieces are fairly plentiful here in the USA, but rare in the far east.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

More information: http://www.zeno.ru/showphoto.php?photo=3611

Comment by Bruce W.Smith, 14 June 2003:
The coin you asked about is inscribed CH'IEN LUNG T'UNG PAO (Qian Long Tong Bao). This inscription is copied from cash coins of Emperor Ch'ien Lung (ruled 1736-1795), but the triangular hole piece was actually made in the 20th century using machinery. The reverse shows a dragon. This piece is believed to be a souvenir from one of the worlds fairs in the United States or from a Chinatown in the USA. Some believe it is from the St. Louis worlds fair of 1904; others think it is from the Pan-Pacific fair of 1914. The pieces are rare in the far east, but fairly common in the USA. I have at least a dozen for sale right now.


ADDED: BTW Welcome to TN.

 

[SHERMANVILLE ILLINOIS]

sodiumrye,

interesting find.

have a good un....
SHERMANVILLE

 

[Montana Jim]

My hat is off to you Big Cy!

Well done - Great ID!

The charactors are decidedly Ch'ien Lung T'ung Pao but an obvious after market fantasy... This is NOT an adaption or charm from that era, 1736 - 1795.

Great find nevertheless... I'd be happy to have dug it knowing it was a world's fair momento from either 1904 or 1914! Much more rare than a coin from that era!

 

[sodiumrye]

Thanks guys, I do belive that is what it is I like i said it has a dragon and now maybe St Louis world fair makes it (smiling to self) a keeper!!! Thank again