A little numismatic quiz

[azda 979]

I was showing a guy tonight an old auction catalogue book i had, we came to some old Chinese coins and he said to me, "do you know why these have a hole in the middle"? Well i didn't, so he gave me his explaination. Maybe what he told me was correct, but i'm wondering if anyone else knows?

I've uploaded a chinese coin picture as an example of what i'm meaning. Answers on a postcard.

Edited October 29, 2010 by azda

[Peckris2 0]

I was showing a guy tonight an old auction catalogue book i had, we came to some old Chinese coins and he said to me, "do you know why these have a hole in the middle"? Well i didn't, so he gave me his explaination. Maybe what he told me was correct, but i'm wondering if anyone else knows?

I've uploaded a chinese coin picture as an example of what i'm meaning. Answers on a postcard.

I think it's because a prescient old Chinaman just knew that someday holes would be rated very highly on eBay and decided to make some high quality examples.

[azda 979]

I was showing a guy tonight an old auction catalogue book i had, we came to some old Chinese coins and he said to me, "do you know why these have a hole in the middle"? Well i didn't, so he gave me his explaination. Maybe what he told me was correct, but i'm wondering if anyone else knows?

I've uploaded a chinese coin picture as an example of what i'm meaning. Answers on a postcard.

I think it's because a prescient old Chinaman just knew that someday holes would be rated very highly on eBay and decided to make some high quality examples.

Well thats not quite correct Peckris2..............Bring back auld Peckris

[Peckris2 0]

I was showing a guy tonight an old auction catalogue book i had, we came to some old Chinese coins and he said to me, "do you know why these have a hole in the middle"? Well i didn't, so he gave me his explaination. Maybe what he told me was correct, but i'm wondering if anyone else knows?

I've uploaded a chinese coin picture as an example of what i'm meaning. Answers on a postcard.

I think it's because a prescient old Chinaman just knew that someday holes would be rated very highly on eBay and decided to make some high quality examples.

Well thats not quite correct Peckris2..............Bring back auld Peckris

I can reliably inform you that auld Peckris also hasnt a clue! Is it anything to do with stringing theem on a ... string?

[azda 979]

I was showing a guy tonight an old auction catalogue book i had, we came to some old Chinese coins and he said to me, "do you know why these have a hole in the middle"? Well i didn't, so he gave me his explaination. Maybe what he told me was correct, but i'm wondering if anyone else knows?

I've uploaded a chinese coin picture as an example of what i'm meaning. Answers on a postcard.

I think it's because a prescient old Chinaman just knew that someday holes would be rated very highly on eBay and decided to make some high quality examples.

Well thats not quite correct Peckris2..............Bring back auld Peckris

I can reliably inform you that auld Peckris also hasnt a clue! Is it anything to do with stringing theem on a ... string?

Are you stringing me along New Peckris

[davidrj 194]

I was showing a guy tonight an old auction catalogue book i had, we came to some old Chinese coins and he said to me, "do you know why these have a hole in the middle"? Well i didn't, so he gave me his explaination. Maybe what he told me was correct, but i'm wondering if anyone else knows?

I've uploaded a chinese coin picture as an example of what i'm meaning. Answers on a postcard.

Bigger coins from scarce metal?

Obviously a very successful design, little change over 2000+ years

David

[scott 144]

because they went on a square rod after casting so they could scrape the excess metal off the edges

cant be round or the coin would move

the reason for a hole is so they can carry them on string also.

i love those coins, i got my most interesting checked out on a chinese coin forum, because of its colouration, got a very detailed explanation of the reason why the colour was as it was.

Edited October 30, 2010 by scott

[azda 979]

So yes Scott and Peck were right, the reason was that back in the day they didn't have purses, so they would thread them through a string and wear it as a necklace type thingy.

[1949threepence 3,367]

I was showing a guy tonight an old auction catalogue book i had, we came to some old Chinese coins and he said to me, "do you know why these have a hole in the middle"? Well i didn't, so he gave me his explaination. Maybe what he told me was correct, but i'm wondering if anyone else knows?

I've uploaded a chinese coin picture as an example of what i'm meaning. Answers on a postcard.

I was about to suggest so they could be piled on a vertical hook for temporary storage. But I see the actual answer is there anyway.

Incidentally, why a square hole instead of a round one ?

@Peckris2 ~ what happened to Peckris1 ? Bring back the old Peckris, I say

Edited October 30, 2010 by 1949threepence

[Red Riley 2]

I read an interesting article about Chinese coins in the 19th century. Apparently some of the coins then in use had been in circulation for upwards of 1000 years which would be like going down the local for a pint and getting an Ethelred the Unready penny in your change. Fascinating place, China.

[davidrj 194]

So yes Scott and Peck were right, the reason was that back in the day they didn't have purses, so they would thread them through a string and wear it as a necklace type thingy.

Something like this coins on strap ?

David

[scott 144]

yea like that.

[Peckris2 0]

I was showing a guy tonight an old auction catalogue book i had, we came to some old Chinese coins and he said to me, "do you know why these have a hole in the middle"? Well i didn't, so he gave me his explaination. Maybe what he told me was correct, but i'm wondering if anyone else knows?

I've uploaded a chinese coin picture as an example of what i'm meaning. Answers on a postcard.

I was about to suggest so they could be piled on a vertical hook for temporary storage. But I see the actual answer is there anyway.

Incidentally, why a square hole instead of a round one ?

@Peckris2 ~ what happened to Peckris1 ? Bring back the old Peckris, I say

LOL. Better the devil you know, eh? Well, hopefully when my Mac gets repaired and I get my cookies back!