Vietnamese imitation of Yuan-feng

[bgriff99]

Vietnamese imitation cast in the middle 1600's.   Original Yuan Feng Chinese coins were made 1078-85AD, in huge quantities, some 240 varieties, exported all over Asia.

[Figleaf]

I really like these posts, but remember I am a generalist. I am working towards knowing nothing about everything. Why is it an imitation? What's different?

Peter

[bgriff99]

For this one, it was hiding among my Chinese issues, discovered when I was checking them off for their specific varieties.    This piece belongs to a particular mint in Vietnam, recognized mostly for its calligraphy and wide rims.    The last time I looked at it would have been enough years ago to have not known about all that, or have the 20 or so others from the Vietnamese mint.   How to tell them apart is impossible to explain, for this one.    Frequently are found odd patterns, not even cataloged, and we just don't know where or when they originated.

[bgriff99]

OK, this.... the very top stroke of yuan has a small downturn at the end.   No Chinese variety has that.   They have instead an upturn, or left flourish.    All the stroke-ends of yuan here are blocky, where the originals trail out, have an end flourish, or make a fine trace back, as if by brushstroke.

[Figleaf]

Great explanation. Thank you. The blocky ends versus brush-stroke ends might generally be something to note, I suppose.

Peter

[bgriff99]

Like this.