Anyone recognize these?? Chinese merchant tokens?? *Update* - Lotsa PICS!

AskRaq

Yes, I did it again.... made the mistake of going to the Fleamarket - again.

With nothing of interest... time & boredom... I bought some "coins" (ha, ha)

The only thing even remotely "numismatic" in nature were a display case of "Chinese Merchant Tokens" about the size of a Peace dollar, so I bought some. Now, after searching the internet I can't find any info at all. Was wondering if anyone on here has any info or pictures of some of these?

I don't have any pictures of the ones I picked up yet, but as soon as I do I'll post 'em!


PICS added below...

sumnom

Post some pics and we'll see what we can do.

sumnom

Inquiring minds are waiting for images!

Sapyx

A silver dollar is an inconveniently large size for a "merchant token". I'm starting to think you might have found a new euphemism for "fake".

AskRaq

<< <i>A silver dollar is an inconveniently large size for a "merchant token". I'm starting to think you might have found a new euphemism for "fake". >>



I was under the impression that "merchant tokens" were private issues that replicated some of the design elements of popular coinage, and/or was representative of a particular region... and were used in merchant-to-merchant transactions when there was a cash shortage? (ie. fakes) LOL...

So, here are the pics (all are medallic alignment):

1st set - these seem to be some type of commemorative set showing rulers & their reign... since I have a gap in the dates, I showed the reverse (dragon) in the lower left corner of the picture (the reverse is the same on all).



2nd set - a bunch of tokens that had pretty cool reverses, some also seem to be commemorative, some regional




3rd set - Greek, Chinese, British & Mexican...?? Replicas I presume?

TwoKopeiki

Definitely Chinese modern fabrications. I would guess the weight at around 21-22 grams and not silver. I've seen the "Emperors" series sold here in Toronto in ChinaTown for about 10 bucks a page.

AskRaq

<< <i>Definitely Chinese modern fabrications. I would guess the weight at around 21-22 grams and not silver. I've seen the "Emperors" series sold here in Toronto in ChinaTown for about 10 bucks a page. >>



Thanks for the reply.... How modern? Any idea? I wasn't able to find anything relevant on a google search? Was just trying to figure out when & why they were made.

sumnom

I agree with Two K. I have seen buckets of these these in junk shops in Korea. I would guess they are of recent manufacture. Some of them are copies of real coins, some are tokens, some are fantasies. If you like I can go through them individually but not right now. I have had a long day and am on my second glass of hard cider.

Sapyx

Yep. They're all fakes, never used as currency, by merchants or otherwise.

As sumnom says, you've got a mixture of complete fantasies (like the entire first set), ultra-rare patterns (like the "Shanghai Tael" and the top-right one in the third set), mildly scare coins (like the rather crudely rendered British Trade Dollar, top left set 3) and some cheap, common types (genuine examples of the top left and top centre are relatively cheap and common, as is the British 1937 crown).

How modern? Very modern, I'd say - made in China within the last decade, probably within the last year, and shipped over to America by the containerload. Typical going rate is $1 or $2 each.

AskRaq

Hey all ~ thank you kindly for the information! I knew I was buying "junk"... but some of 'em were pretty cool (& I was bored), but I had no idea that they were that modern!! LOL....

zeebob

I don't know where you are located, but on Pier 39 in SF CA there is a shop with reproductions in a 1 cubic foot box on the counter. $0.99 each. Fun sort of stuff to pick up and then leave in parks or soccer fields or in playgrounds or even public beaches. It's a hoot to watch a little leage soccer game quickly degenerate into a mob of kids looking for coins on the soccer field. Fun for all.