Expert: Dmitry Livshits - 9/20/2011

Question
QUESTION: I have an unusual piece. Essentially, it's a familiar coin: the 1933 one yaun Chinese coin depicting Sun Yat Sen on the obverse and a two-masted Chinese junk on the reverse, like Y#344 in Krause.  But  these elements are surrounded by a border of about 1/4 inch (6mm) that bears the legend "COIN SILVER SANVPLE" on the obverse. (The "NV" is apparently an effort to make an "M.") On the reverse, the rising sun is depicted as it is on Y#344, but the birds appear at the bottom instead of the top.  Above the junk, where the birds appear on Y#344, are Chines Characters.

Can you tell me what I have and whether it is rare and valuable?

ANSWER: Hi Jim,
The "Coin silver sanvple / circulation no" pieces are a modern concoction and listed in the Krause "Unusual World Coins" catalog as such. Generally the ones made of actual silver are worth slightly above bullion value. There are also non-silver versions out there which are worth just a few dollars as a novelty item. The diameter, thickness and weight would help determine which you have.
There are also various center designs for these.
Thanks for the question! =)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks again.  I will look into these medallions.  For reasons of money and storage space, I try to limit my collection to coins, but I fairly often yield to temptation and buy an interesting medal or token.  Truth be known, I think I collect collections--and that statement reveals my true nature.  Maybe your suggestion will lead me happily down another road to wickedness!

All the best,

Jim Davis

ANSWER: I'm the same way, as far as collecting collections. You are in luck with ship-themed items, since there is no shortage of such in numismatics.
Best of luck! =)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I promise not to be a further nuisance, but I suddenly realized that I didn't understand fully your initial response.  Probably you assume a greater knowledge of numismatics than I posses. Anyway, what did you mean by "a modern concoction"?  Or, to put the question a different way, why were these items concocted?  And by whom?  If they were truly samples, they shouldn't be so plentiful.  Alas, Krause's volume on unusual world coins isn't readily available to me.  I probably don't need it for my general use, but could probably get it on inter-library loan--that is, if I've already taken too much of your time.  Again, I promise not to be a further e-mail nuisance.

Jim

Answer
Don't worry about it, I volunteer because I appreciate the "nuisance".

These pieces are modern items. Made as a novelty or souvenir. It's not like an old coin in a modern ring, the whole thing was made as a single piece. The "Sample" is basically the Asian manufacturers way of ensuring they are not arrested for counterfeiting (such as American made replicas being marked as "COPY" or "REPLICA" to make them legal). If they produced a copy of the coin without the extra ring, that would be illegal counterfeiting. Many of the counterfeiting houses have wisened up and started making fantasy designs to avoid the legal hurdle.

Thanks again for the question! =)