With Chinese coins you've got to have the book! And it ain't cheap...

laurentyvan

In reference to Schjoth's Currency of the Far East , $195, $200-$300, are all numbers I have seen for this book (if you can find it) and it seems to be the most quoted reference in its field.

I make mention because I purchased about 30 Chinese coins recently from a trusted source, with the rationale that with them in hand I would study and learn and expand my horizons. Perhaps easier said then done... Wasn't sure I wanted to spend that kind of money for a reference , yet I feel compelled to have it..
I admit I'm a little bit at sea here and could use some suggestions as to good material covering the period 1st century to 18th century.

Here are a couple of examples from the purchase: Mind you, none of them were very expensive but all were nicely attributed
(thank God!).

No. Sung Dyn. Emperor Che Tsung. Title: Shao-Sheng. 1094-1097 A.D. Schjoth 586. VF Scarce

No. Sung Dyn. Emperor Hui Tsung. Title: Sheng Sung. 1101 A.D. Schjoth 607. VF Scarce


A number of the others have a heavier green patina on them which makes ID difficult, some are a darker grey, very few (with the exception of a first century piece) had any bronze coloring.

I'm looking forward to the chase...

ed for spelling

Refrema

PM Sent

Bob

satootoko

Schjoth is available for loan from the ANA library. As I recall it cost me $3-4 postage each way - probably a little more since last Sunday.

laurentyvan

Thanks Roy, Refrema gave me the same good advice. I let my membership lapse last year-guess it's time to re-up.

sumnom

You can find Schjoth for $60.00 here.

laurentyvan

You can find Schjoth for $60.00 here.

I can't believe I didn't check ABE books. 17 available with prices from $60 to well over $300-I wonder why such a large spread?

Thanks Sumnom!

sumnom

I don't know what explains the spread. Perhaps the cheaper ones are reprints?

I don't use Schjoth, actually. I prefer Ding Fubao's book which is widely available on e-bay for 20-30 dollars. A man by the name of Fisher translated Ding, hence you hear of "Fisher's Ding." Ding is better than Schjoth in that it has rubbings rather than drawings and the lisintgs are more extensive. Sometimes the drawings of the coins have almost laughably childish renditions of the characters. Having rubbings or photos is very important in collecting cash coins. You have to know what the calligraphy is supposed to look like. Many people who do not read Chinese are unable to ditinguish good calligraphy from bad. They are thus very easily fooled by poor quality copies. Also, many varieties are distinguished by variations in calligraphy. This is especially true for Korea cast coins.

While many people use Schjoth, I prefer Ding. If you cannot read Chinese, perhaps a copy of Fisher's Ding will suffice. You don't need a lot of Chinese to use Ding and if you use it in tendem with other English language texts, you can ues Ding at least for the rubbings. Still, you have to be able to recognize at least a few Chinese characters to navigate Ding. I think someone here has Fisher's Ding. They might be able to comment on it.

Conder101

The highest three are that much because they are the 1929 first editions. They have three copies of the 1976 edition, but the 1965 edition is supposed to be better than the 1976. I have both (plus a back up copy of the 65 edition.) but I haven't made a comparison between the two.

satootoko

I find Fisher extremely difficult to navigate, given my almost total Chinese illiteracy, and the Beautiful Brides's reluctance to spend time on my coins.

sumnom

Being able to read at least some Chinese is the key, I'm afraid.

Vietcoins

Another book on Chinese coins is available. It is "Cast Chinese Coins" by David Hartill . I have it and Schjoth. It is much more comprehensive than Schjoth and has rariety codes for the coins. It is available from Trafford Publishing, an on-demand publisher in Canada.
Scott Seman has copies for sale also. Go to: http://www.coincoin.com/bkXC.htm#HARTILL Scott has a scan of one of the pages. It is $39.00 which is less than if you bought it from the publisher.

PS: Last year I bought several kilos of coins in Vietnam that had been dug up in the countryside. After I sorted through them and keep the Vietnamese coins, I decided to sell off the Chinese coins that were mixed in the hoards (since I really do not collect them). I sold another lot of 50 Chinese coins on Ebay last week. Guess where the buyer was located? Taiwan. Go figure.

Happy Collecting

laurentyvan

Vietcoins-thank you for the excellent reference.

PS: Last year I bought several kilos of coins in Vietnam that had been dug up in the countryside. After I sorted through them and keep the Vietnamese coins, I decided to sell off the Chinese coins that were mixed in the hoards (since I really do not collect them). I sold another lot of 50 Chinese coins on Ebay last week. Guess where the buyer was located? Taiwan. Go figure.


Coals to Newcastle? Evidently not...

Had to add this from the website that Vietcoin mentioned-it's got me excited! Still got to do something about pre-0 to 650 BC


Cast Chinese Coins The new standard reference has arrived: a truly comprehensive catalog from 650 BC to 1912, over 5000 listings with rubbings, X-refs to S and FD, and rarity guide, informed by latest Chinese research and archaeological finds. Historical background and contemporary accounts of coinage use. Numerous maps, charts & finding list. This work is comprehensive enough to replace Schjoth and Fisher's Ding, though Doo's work on Banliang, wuzhu, and kaiyuan will offer more sophisticated breakdowns. Covers knife, spade & I-pi but not halberd, bridge, burial monies, or charms. All of the author's Qing Cash listings are present, though arranged by ruler / mint with new numbering and without the extensive background information found in that work. The numbering system is a bit cumbersome, but adequate. 474p, sc, 8x11", 2005, List price $49.95 NOW IN STOCK Shipping is $2.68 USA ($3.85 Priority Mail) and $9 Airmail to most countries.

sumnom

I haven't seen this one yet. It sounds great.