Chinese Looking Coin??

So, I think I found it. A Chinese cast coin from 1672-1722. They are found everywhere as evidenced by searching this forum. Apparently they were considered a ‘lucky charm’ in early America. But, a 300 year old Chinese coin in Odd, WV? Who woulda thought?

Cpackjr said:

So, I think I found it. A Chinese cast coin from 1672-1722. They are found everywhere as evidenced by searching this forum. Apparently they were considered a ‘lucky charm’ in early America. But, a 300 year old Chinese coin in Odd, WV? Who woulda thought?

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Could it be a replica?

Nice find ! Those coins were brought over by Chinese hired for mining and building railroads in the mid 1800's, you could be close by one of the two. I found one along a railroad built during the Civil War.

Hmmm

kaufenanger said:

Could it be a replica?

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Anything is possible, but after reading quite a bit I am fairly confident these were common all over America. They even came on imported baskets, lampshades and etc as decorations. I’ve see many pictures and accounts of them being used as trade items for Native Americans like beads were. I guess in China they became worthless over the years and there were millions of them in circulation.
They were common as good luck pieces in America. I have found on this same site WW1 buttons and bus tokens for “the big city”. I can see military men or other travelers bringing these home as souvenirs.
Who really knows though?
My other thought is can a person claim they found a 300 year old coin when we know it came to be there in the past 100?!

I believe it actually a Ch'ien-Lung cash coin. Dates of mint 1736-1795.
Looks like a Boo Yon or Ciowan mint mark.