It’s Difficult to Differentiate Between Originals and Copies
Question: I understand that what I have is one of the earliest types of metallic currency in ancient China. Could you please tell me if it is of any value? I would appreciate any information you can give me.--E.E.
Answer: The illustration you provided depicts knife money, which the Chinese call tao . You are correct in calling it ancient Chinese money. Experts don’t entirely agree as to how old this primitive money actually is. Some believe it dates from the 7th to the 4th Century BC.
Tao or knife money actually predates money as we know it. It probably was first used for barter. Then through various stages, it decreased in size and weight but was accepted in trade. Because knife money and its counterpart, spade money, represented farming utensils in an agricultural society, they were readily accepted. The knife and spade bronze pieces gradually passed from use in the 3rd Century BC as round coinage came into use.
It is difficult to differentiate genuine ancient knife money from duplicates that were made about 100 years ago. The more recent copies have often been buried or painted so they will take on the appearance of the originals. Caution is advised when purchasing knife money, because obviously a piece from the 7th Century BC would be worth considerably more than one that’s a 100-year-old copy.
I really don’t know how to price knife money. My sources tell me that coin dealers who handle such material would put it in the $25-to-$50 range. But I suspect an authenticated piece that would date back to ancient China would be worth considerably more.
Q: I would like an approximate value for the enclosed copies of a $20 National Currency bill, series 1929; also a $1 Silver Certificate, 1923 series.--V.W.
A: Your National Currency bill has little or no collector value; the 1923 Silver Certificate is in the $7-to-$10 range.
Q: Are Bicentennial quarters of any value today--other than 25 cents? I notice that they are quite scarce.--A.F.
A: Millions and millions of Bicentennial quarters were made for circulation. To be more precise, there were about 809 million from the Philadelphia mint, 860 million from the Denver mint, plus about 22 million more in proof or silver clad. That’s a lot of coins in one denomination for one year. The silver and proof pieces carry a slight premium. Only time will tell whether regular business strikes will ever be worth more than face value.
Coin News
Canadian and Provincial coins, patterns, specimen sets and issues of Newfoundland will be auctioned in the Victoria Collection sale Sept. 11-13 at the Vista International Hotel in New York. Highlights include a 1921 half dollar (pictured), known as the “King of Canadian Half Dollars.” Also on sale are two 1944 specimen sets (only four are known); 1903 and 1911 five-piece specimen sets, and 1948 and 1949 six-piece specimen sets. Catalogues for the Victoria Collection are $15 from Bowers & Merena, P.O. Box 1224, Wolfeboro, N.H. 03894; telephone (603) 569-5095.
The Whittier Coin Club will mark its 30th anniversary by issuing a souvenir card Sept. 8 depicting a small $10 National Bank Note from 1929 and a large $20 series of 1902. The cards are $2.95 by mail from the Society of Lincoln Cent Collectors, P.O. Box 5465, North Hollywood, Calif. 91616. The Whittier Coin Club meets the second Friday of each month at Parnell Park. For information, contact Esther Bromberg, 15540 Lambert Road, Whittier, Calif. 90604.
A two-part auction produced by a local company will be held Sept. 9 in conjunction with the Greater New York Numismatic Convention. Auction XLII will feature the Howard Brin Collection in Part I, consisting of ancient Jewish coins, books, stamps and classical antiquities. Part II includes ancient Greek and Roman coins plus modern world and U.S. gold coins. Catalogues are $10 each for Parts I and II from Joel L. Malter, P.O. Box 777, Encino, Calif. 91316; telephone (818) 784-7772.