Asian coin ID.

Not sure about this coin at all. It's about 15-16mm and appears to be cast. Any help would be appreciated.

It looks like two beans dancing!

Heh, I thought it was two Salamanders breathing fire at the top, but could just as well be beans..maybe the beans are eating the Salamanders..err.

Definitely beans with funky hair do's.
Ha Ha

Aha, so here's what it is.

It's an amulet. The two "beans" are dragons; the heads are on the bottom.

I'm not perfect with my Chinese, but I can read 國民, which means National, or literally, "country people."

Based on the dimensions, it might be Japanese, since the characters on Japanese coins are finer than Chinese coins and the square hole is larger. However, I think it's Chinese.

Hope that helped a little.

Wow, a double dragon amulet. I find that exciting. I thought it was going to be Japanese myself, but I knew you'd come up with the answer. I wonder how old it is. In any case thanks a lot.

This is what I think for the date,

Because the inscriptions are fine, though the casting is crude, as you may notice from the edges, and because it's read clockwise, it's probably from the 1100's or earlier.

Wow, that old. Remarkable! I think I shall put it on a string and wear it. Thanks again.

Cita: ScottyI think I shall put it on a string and wear it.

Staying alive Staying alive.....Ah ah ah ah Stayyyyingggggg alllliiiiivvvveeeee!

 

Matt

Heh, well, it'll be a magical amulet. if someone attacks me with a wand of fire, it'll bounce off and hit them full in the face...no wait..that's just in D&D.

Reads 國泰民安. Peace in the country and the people.

Also, I'll place it in the late-Qing to early Nationalist period. (It's not clockwise).

Cita: fliegendehollanderAlso, I'll place it in the late-Qing to early Nationalist period. (It's not clockwise).

Oh, makes sense.

I thought it read "National - something." From there I would agree.

Late Qing. When I look and hold the object. It doesn't have the 'feel' of an ancient object. Know what I mean?

I'm very pleased to have it regardless of age. Thank you both for your help.

It is probably a Taoist token given out to peasants. The Chinese would string them up and hang them above their doors or a pigsty, believed to drive out evil spirits.

The coin itself also corresponds to Chinese mythology. The Earth is seen as being quadrilateral, whilst the Heavens are circular. Having a square hole within the circular shape puts the Earth in it's rightful place. This is present in much Chinese architecture too.