Who knew sun tzu’s soldiers wore block I buttons…..

ncsuwolf · Sep 30, 2025

Weather has been rainy and nasty for several days (much needed). Took 30 min over lunch and hit a spot close by. Ground conditions were great….pre-83 pennies sound like silver dimes.

Found my second ever block I csa button. This one is British made (guessing) as the condition of the metal/patina is excellent.

Second notable find ended its life a bit far from home….my mandarin is bad (non-existent), but I’m assuming that’s a Chinese coin. Not sure how it made it to central Va, other than in a soldiers pocket or a kids Cracker Jack prize.

Anyone able to give me any info on the coin (denomination, age, etc)?

Nathan W · Sep 30, 2025

Nice going!

philber · Sep 30, 2025

look up calgary coin, they have a huge section on chinese coins. you'll have to compare the symbols on your coin to their list. yours is a "square hole" 4 symbol, so that narrows it down a smidge. Might find it here: https://www.calgarycoin.com/reference/china/chinaid3.htm
Chinese workers would bring them from China as reminders of the homeland and may be there from railroads being built, laundries established or who knows.

Trezurehunter · Sep 30, 2025

Congrats on that great Civil War relic.

ncsuwolf · Sep 30, 2025

philber said:
look up calgary coin, they have a huge section on chinese coins. you'll have to compare the symbols on your coin to their list. yours is a "square hole" 4 symbol, so that narrows it down a smidge. Might find it here: https://www.calgarycoin.com/reference/china/chinaid3.htm
Chinese workers would bring them from China as reminders of the homeland and may be there from railroads being built, laundries established or who knows.