Can someone ID this coin?

[MountainGoat]

Found this coin today - Looks Chinese, and seems to be copper. Does anyone know what this is?

 

[PBK]

This is a sort of Chinese good luck token— often called a charm, amulet, or talisman. The characters appear to read Ch'ien-lung T'ung-pao— "circulating coin [or 'current treasure'] of Emperor Ch'ien-lung." Genuine Chinese cash coins of that period date c. 1735-96. However, your find differs from them in that the hole is triangular rather than square; also, it is struck rather than cast as the 18th century coins were. The symbols on the reverse are evidently occult/amuletic.

By the way, there are some collectors who believe this piece is a souvenir item from the Golden Gate International Exposition (world's fair) held in San Francisco in 1939-40, but I have no idea whether that's the case.

 

[DD-777]

I want to be PBK smart...

 

[MountainGoat]

Thanks PBK, that is great info. Other coins found in the same ground (a church yard in Southern Calif.) date mid 20s and newer, so maybe it is from the '39 World's fair in SF as you suggested it might be.

 

[kdismuke1]

PBK IS THE ANSWER MAN. AS ALWAYS.

 

[Montana Jim]

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,156897.0.html

 

[sodiumrye]

Yep montana jim thats it. I had found one years ago and had it id here last month. These forums are nothing but information thats for sure

 

[Montana Jim]

Yep montana jim thats it. I had found one years ago and had it id here last month. These forums are nothing but information thats for sure

Yes... I knew there was another recently but thats the only one I found... LOL

You guys can start a club!