Fake? Forgery? Fantasy? Fariety?

[Figleaf]

This looks like a fake to me. I don't like the uneven fields and the differences in the characters. Then again, why would anyone want to fake such a common coin? Could it be a contemporary fake? 4.2 grams, 22.9 mm., non-magnetic.

Peter

[Figleaf]

The plot thickens. I think these two, the same type, are OK. Now look at the top and bottom of the leftmost character and compare with the above.

Peter

[bart]

The first coin looks like those coins made for the sets "cash coins of the Manchu emperors", which contains a cash coin for every emperor of the Qing-dynasty. The reverse of every coin shows the mint "Beijing-Board of Revenue".
So I'd say fake (or like the Chinese would say: copy)

[Figleaf]

Could be, but those look better, shinier, more yellow and they are thinner. The fields are also pock-marked, but more regularly so. What I find remarkable is the clearly different characters at left and top (left side).

Peter

[bgriff99]

The coin is genuine, around 1783.   Almost full weight, with full rims and centerframe so not a recasting.

[Figleaf]

Thank you, Bruce. I am delighted that it is a variety after all. Can the two coins lower down in the thread also be dated with such precision?

Peter

[bgriff99]

Without reverses, sizes or weights..... it's inherently difficult to compare a screen image to a reference collection, where changes year to year are minute.    But it comes out to 1746 and 1766.

[Figleaf]

Sorry, Bruce. As you guessed correctly, the coins do have a reverse

The left coin is 24 mm, 4.7 grams, non-magnetic. The right coin is 23 mm, 3.9 grams, non-magnetic.

Peter

[KennyisaG]

To revive an old topic, there are many variations of Qianlong cash from the central mint, with the most notable し radical in 乾. Take a look at this page where I identified all the variations of the coin. 

[Figleaf]

Good to hear from you, Kenny. Great to see you specified the varieties of this coin (BTW, it's dangerous to claim you have "all" of them; you never know what's still lurking out there). Having no expertise, I found it difficult to decide which variety from your list matches the above coin. What do you think they are?

Peter

[bgriff99]

Kenny, please come browse Zeno.ru some time.