Expert: Brad Swain - 4/25/2009

Question
Hello!
I have a "bad habit" of buying coins that intregue me from a local antique shop. I take them home, and then go online to identify country of origin. I just collect to collect, because I find currency very interesting. That being said, I have been able to identify all my coins--except one.

I was attracted to this coin because it is extremely light and has minimal wear. I believe it is aluminum. It is about the size of a US quarter, perhaps bigger by a few mm's but no larger (they don't sit quite flushed).

Side A: http://i43.tinypic.com/2ijnbpg.jpg
Side B: http://i41.tinypic.com/erg1ue.jpg

Can you help me identify this coin? Thanks! Any information you may have on it, just for curiosity's sake, feel free to pass along. :) Have a great weekend!

Answer
Hi Lilly, this is a China (communist) aluminum 5 fen coin.
It is worth about .25 with light wear.
You might also try a library for a copy of the Standard Catalog of World Coins for pictures, values and lots more interesting info.
Pictures may be found here: http://worldcoingallery.com/index.htm .
Brad