Help with a Chinese token/coin?

NorthStar · February 11, 2023 10:38AM

Hi,
I was wondering what this coin/token might be? I picked it up in Bejing back in 2010. Any help would be appreciated. I've gone to the numismatic "knowledge" well a few times and don't want to wear out my welcome.
Thanks,
NorthStar

numismagram · February 11, 2023 11:12AM

It's ancient Indian from around the 3rd century BC. Here's a very similar example:

https://cngcoins.com/Lot.aspx?LOT_ID=67478&BACK_URL=/Lots.aspx?IS_ADVANCED=1&ITEM_IS_SOLD=1&ITEM_INVENTORY_NUMBER=&CONTAINER_NAME=518&ITEM_LOT_NUMBER=320&ITEM_DESC=&SEARCH_IN_CONTAINER_TYPE_ID_1=1&SEARCH_IN_CONTAINER_TYPE_ID_3=1&SEARCH_IN_CONTAINER_TYPE_ID_2=1&SEARCH_IN_CONTAINER_TYPE_ID_4=1&VIEW_TYPE=0

The coins used square-ish flans, with various punchmarks. These two share some in common.

Sapyx · February 11, 2023 7:59PM

Yep, it's a Mauryan Empire silver unit.

Though given the source, I'd be highly suspicious of its authenticity. These coins were not used in China and are generally not found in China. If it was being sold from a street vendor or tourist trap in Beijing, then it's probably a replica.

Which is in turn worrying, because I was not aware the Chinese fake-masters have been making fake ancient Indian coins for the past 15 years or so.

NorthStar · February 13, 2023 1:13PM

Hey you guys...
Thanks for the information. This audience sure has a great deal of knowledge and willingness to help.
Now...is it a real coin and how do you authenticate it?
NorthStar

Sapyx · February 13, 2023 3:32PM

First check would be to make sure it really is silver. A specific gravity test might be easiest to arrange. If you have access to an XRF kit, that would be better. If it is silver, chances are high that it's genuine; there's not enough profit in making fake ancient Indian coins out of genuine silver, when fake-silver would work just as well.

Help with a Chinese token/coin?

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