Castle, Coins, Critters......Part II

[hikeinmts]

Didn't get all the attachments on the first message. Here are the ones that I (don't think) posted.
My Son, while stationed here in Korea.
Snake and Slug.
And several more scenery pics and coin pics.
Thanks for looking.

 

[Monty]

Are all those with the Hole trade tokens? I have never found one but they seem to be plentiful in some areas. Nice haul! Monty

 

[spartacus53]

I would have your son research the value of those Korean coins and sell them before he leaves. I am not sure what the market is for foreign currency. Some do look rather worn and old, so good luck.

 

[Swingit]

Wow Thats Cool!!!
HH!!
Swingit

 

[hikeinmts]

Thanks to all the three of you who have commented. Hope you enjoyed.
Marty, The holed items are not trade tokens. They are Korean coins, similar to Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese , etc, with the hole in the middle. Have asked the question, WHY? Probably to put a small chord through, and wear them close to the body,
under several layers of clothing. Not for sure on that, though. Spartacus, My son researches from the U.S. But, highest market for Korean coins is in Korea with Korean collectors. I plan on selling my collection at a later date through one of
the auction agencies located in S. Cal.
Swingit, Thanks for comments, and yes, it is a great hobby, and very great here in S. Korea. The research to find probable sites,
and then hiking to the probable areas, and trying to locate a site (some have not been used in 75 to 100 years, so they are under
many leaves and foilage. And then, the digging of the coins, plus pottery, other items.....and the stirring up of the local wildlife
population.....all part of the Korean Coinhunting Experience.
Best of luck to the three of you.

 

[Monty]

My son spent two years in Seoul in the Army in the 1980s and brought home some Korean coins but none that were holed. I know nothing about Korean history except the Korean Conflict that occured when I was a small child. The Koreans and Chinese have long since been allied, not especially in friendship, except maybe in the the north, but in culture, (or so I'm told). I know the Chinese that came to the California gold rush in the early 1800s brought holed cash coins with them and they are found all the time out in the western USA, 'cause they found more gold in working for the railroad than prospecting. I can't help wondering if the idea of the holed coins perhaps didn't originate in China? Just speculation on my part. Monty

 

[hikeinmts]

Darn good righton speculation, Marty. In fact, the idea of money began in China.....first introduced into Korea in the late 900s. It was rejected by the people of Korea. Second time, tried again in the 1400s. Again rejected. But in the mid to late 1600s, the king at that time forcably saw to it that his introducing coins was accepted by the populas. Alas, governmnt at it again.
Anyway, the Koreans did use the same design and most of the same metals that the Chinese were using. Of course, they had their own Chinese characters put on the coins, so as to be able to recognize their coinage. But, I have found Chinese and Japanese and Korean holed coins here in S. Korea. They were all traded at equal value, based on their weight and what metal they were made out of. But, have also found, just this last month, two Japanese IRON COINS. I know of only a few trial iron Korean coins. Have never found any of them. The Chinese had massive amounts of iron coins....I have several pages full of them. But I have never found any of them here. That's on my list of ones I want to find.

 

[Monty]

Thanks, really interesting, and please , you don't hasta' call me Marty. You can call me Monty if youse wants to. M nty

 

[hikeinmts]

Thanks, really interesting, and please , you don't hasta' call me Marty. You can call me Monty if youse wants to. M nty

Oh Oh....my bad......Now you know how OLD I AM.....can't remember from one minute to the next.....and am especially bad
with names. I am sorry to have gotten your name wrong.

 

[allen]

good going on all of those nice finds !!

 

[Monty]

That's quite all right. If you are older than me I feel sorry for you!
M nty