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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/Silver Dragon Kiang Nan province Coin?

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Expert: Brad Swain - 1/28/2010


Question

Dragon Coin
Hello Mr. Swain,

I came across a dragon silver dollar from the Kiang Nan province while cleaning my grandparents' house. It was purchased in approx. 1990, so I'm not entirely sure whether it's real.
I haven't been able it online (I have found exact matches for the front and back, but not on the same coin) and was wondering if you might help. The back has some swirly writing in the very center, sourrounded by 4 Chinese characters, a beaded ring, and 12 more Chinese characters. The front has an elaborate, small dragon with a beard and reads "*Kiang Nan Province* 7 Mace and 2 Candareens". I have attached a picture of the back and will send one of the front if you email me. Thanks so much!

Sincerely,
Kaitlyn

Answer
Hi Kaitlyn, Counterfeits and fantasy pieces mass produced in East Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe abound of Chinese and U.S. coins, and many other countries'.
A 'fantasy' piece is when someone creates or hijacks an official design and changes it to suit whatever purpose they imagine that will make the coin interesting enough to sell as a souvenir or conversation piece to someone who is unfamiliar with the genuine pieces.
Most older counterfeits weigh up light, are grayish, may have a weakly struck look to appear worn, look cleaned or antiqued and may have a dull or grainy surface or have typographical errors. Newer ones show that the counterfeiters are refining their skills and obtaining planchets of the right weight to produce passable counterfeits. Weighing it may be the best telltale of its genuineness.
Genuine Kiangnan silver dollar coins of this period weigh 27.0 grams each.
Fakes: http://reviews.ebay.com/Fake-8-4-and-2-Reales-coins-from-ASIA-BEWARE_W0QQugidZ10...
Chinese counterfeit factory: http://coins.about.com/od/worldcoins/ig/Chinese-Counterfeiting-Ring/Chinese-Fake... .
If you have pictures (not over 1 megabyte each please) you can email them to me at tbirde@psknet.com.
Brad

Brad Swain

Expertise

I have been a World Coin and Paper Money collector since about 1965. I will be glad to answer any questions you may have on World coins or currency, tokens, unusual or unknown pieces and attempt to give you estimates of value and historical information about them in a polite and prompt manner.

Experience

45 years collecting coins and paper money.

Education/Credentials
BA History, BA Geography - Virginia Tech

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