Expert: Brad Swain - 12/28/2009

Question
Hi, I have an oriental looking coin with a picture of a plant with 2 main stalks standing up with each one having a flower. The tall one on the right has the flower located close to the top
of that stalk and 2 or 3 other stalks and the other one on the left has a flower closer to the bottom with 2 or 3 stalks. The bottom of the coin on that face has 8 symbols wrapped around the outside edge from the left side 10 o'clock
position to about the 4 o'clock position. The outside edge has a pattern that looks like the line perforations on a letter where you tear an edge. Each section has a small space behind it which goes around along the entire coin.

The other side of the coin has 2 quite large symbols (letters)? located around the center surrounded by what looks to be 4 sections of letters wrapped around the outside edge .
bottom. There is only a small space between each of the sections.
The coin is about the size of a Cdn nickel,is very light and appears to be made of aluminum.

Please advise. Thanks. Don't have means to photocopy the image.

Answer
Hi Robert, this is an aluminum 1 chiao (10 cents) minted 1967-74 featuring a Single Heart Orchid from the Republic of China (Taiwan). It may be worth .10 to $1 depending on date, amount of wear and collector demand. The date numerals are to the left of the base of the orchid.
Japanese and Arabic numbers: http://userwebs.psknet.com/tbirde/Arabic_Jap.jpg
You might also try a library for a copy of the Standard Catalog of World Coins for pictures, values and lots more interesting info.
Brad