Metal Detecting Forum

How do you go about finding out the date of a chinese coin? I found one tonight and it looks like it was in circulation as it is somewhat worn but I haven't found one before and know nothing about them. Any help would be appreciated. i could probably post pictures tomorrow.
Thanks

Post a photo and I will tell you.

Thank You! here's the Pic's

That Chinese coin is in traditional characters. To me it looks as if it is not dated. Cool find.

Found it, here is the link. The top pic is your coin I believe. Yours is upside down, hope this helps.
http://www.sportstune.com/chinese/coins/chiaching.html

---

Minelab Explorer SE Pro, Sunray X-1 probe
Looking for keepers in Big Sky Country
ATC Rocks!

Thank you both for all your help. So, does the Reign Title 1796-1820 indicate the range in age of the coin? If so, this is my oldest coin to date. (obviously lost from a collection since our town wasn't founded until 1905) There were, however, chinese workers here that mined flour gold in the Snake River during the turn of the 20th. century.
Idaho PRB

Your guess is as good as ours, but that sounds very plausible. Why else would it be there?

Idaho PRB please try this !!!!!!!! You will find the answer

http://www.calgarycoin.com/reference/china/china8.htm#yung%20cheng

OscarSE

Thank you very much for another informative site! I appreciate the time you all have spent to help me identify this coin.

Welcome. For sure you will do it for me as well..... Donīt you?

Check out this post from a few weeks ago. I found a cache of 22 of them from the reign before your coin. They are much older than my area as well. Many many of these coins came to America when Chinese immigrants came to work on the railroads and mines. Nice find!

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?18,1310857,1310857#msg-1310857

---

Minelab Explorer SE Pro, Sunray X-1 probe
Looking for keepers in Big Sky Country
ATC Rocks!