What is it? Ancient Chinese coin worth a million dollars?

[MilesSupertramp]

Found this little curiosity in Lake Michigan last weekend. Catch 22: although it has the correct dimensions, includes a center square cutout and both the center and outer rim are raised, the deposit buildup is so great that I'm afraid not many can identify it and removing the deposits seriously decreases its monetary and archeological value. What's a treasure hunter to do?

 

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[Mackaydon]

Welcome to Treasure Net !!
Anything better to see on the reverse?
Don.....

 

[bill from lachine]

The vast majority of Chinese cash coins have very little value....I found one circa 1662-1722 and tops value wise was maybe a couple of dollars and in much better shape than the one you found.

Regards + HH

Bill

 

[flyadive]

Move on, that one is toast, go back and find a better condition coin. There is more if you look hard enough.
Well sometimes !
HH

 

[Icewing]

Rule of thumb: it's yours, do whatever you want to do to it.
Ever considered electrolysis?

 

[MilesSupertramp]

Yes. I've done it in the past with an old pair of seized blacksmith nail pullers. Good thinkin'.

 

[MilesSupertramp]

Rule of thumb: it's yours, do whatever you want to do to it.
Ever considered electrolysis?

Yes. I've done it in the past with an old pair of seized blacksmith nail pullers. Good thinkin'.

 

[MilesSupertramp]

Welcome to Treasure Net !!
Anything better to see on the reverse?
Don.....

Thanks, Mack! I wish - you're lookin' at its best side. Unfortunately.

 

[MilesSupertramp]

The vast majority of Chinese cash coins have very little value....I found one circa 1662-1722 and tops value wise was maybe a couple of dollars and in much better shape than the one you found.

Regards + HH

Bill

Bill, thanks for the bad news. At the very least, you just gave me the courage to remove the deposit buildup. Any chance you'd share pics with me of your 1662-1722 Chinese coin?

 

[MilesSupertramp]

Move on, that one is toast, go back and find a better condition coin. There is more if you look hard enough.
Well sometimes !
HH

Flyadive, very true. But I gotta tell ya, your comment made me understand how loving parents who know they have an ugly kid feels when their kid gets teased for being ugly. I don't know if it's common among detectorists, but unless it's a pull tab, foil, can-slaw or other trash, I tend to think all my find are pretty darn special. Detecting would be 100x's better if it wasn't for, well, reality ; )

 

[QUICKSILVER (appletree)]

we find them all over the place! they were used as lucky charms, decorations on clothing, bangles on sewing baskets, tossed in lakes ponds and rivers for good luck. Some can really be old but what I've found out is they are worth very little if anything at all, only to collectors! They are just a find to have in your collection. If you ever need it here is a link to a great reference on finding what Chinese coins you found, if you can't find it on the list just e mail the owner and he will get back with you about your questions. Chinese coin reference listing

 

[tamrock]

I thought most old Chinese coins were found in the mining communities of the west.? Were the Chinese running around Great Lakes Country in the 19th century Use it to scratch Lotto tickets. Ya never know, it may be worth some luck if anything

 

[HenryWaltonJonesJr]

I'm impressed you're in the water so early! My wet suit isn't thick enough for that!

 

[jewelerguy]

 

[bill from lachine]

MilesSupertramp,

Here's a link to to the one I found.....just scroll down the page a bit...Unfortunately a lot of the stuff we find with some age is not always valuable or rare..

https://www.flickr.com/photos/15267475@N08/page2/

Regards + HH

Bill

Bill, thanks for the bad news. At the very least, you just gave me the courage to remove the deposit buildup. Any chance you'd share pics with me of your 1662-1722 Chinese coin?

 

[bill from lachine]

Tamrock,

Lots of Chinese workers in both Canada and the US were involved in the building of the railways back in the day also.

These coins weren't recognized as currency by either country, however, I believe they were used as a means of exchange within their communities.

Regards + HH

Bill

I thought most old Chinese coins were found in the mining communities of the west.? Were the Chinese running around Great Lakes Country in the 19th century Use it to scratch Lotto tickets. Ya never know, it may be worth some luck if anything