The Glass Coins of China
Chinese Porcelain Coin 豬仔錢 (Obverse)
Chinese Porcelain Coin 豬仔錢 (Reverse)
Chinese Porcelain Coin 豬仔錢 (c. 1800-1900; "Coolie Coin" or "Pig Money"). "Coolie Coins" were used by early Chinese immigrant diasporas (a "diasporas" is the dispersion of a people from their original homeland) to Malaysia and Singapore. They were supposedly issued as a form of payment instrument or identification or passage token by foremen to immigrants who worked as hard-labor coolies on the vast rubber and copra plantations ("copra" is the dried meat, or kernel, of the coconut), tin mines, and harbors of Asia. The coins were also known as "Pig Money" because the immigrants were smuggled ashore in pig baskets.
The Glass Coins of China
[Glass and Porcelain Coins of the Far East]
While the Siamese Porcelain Tokens, among which a few colored glass varieties exist, are known to most Numismatists, and even the Arabian glass weights may have been investigated by a few collectors, the Glass Coins of China and neighboring countries, on the other hand, may be new to many of our readers.
It is not necessary in order to learn these curious coins, to wade through the numerous native treatises on Far Eastern Numismatics, since no mention whatever is made in them to any porcelain or glass coins. As these coins do not come within the scope of "Articles of Metal", among which ordinary coins are included, so dearly loved by Chinese and Japanese connoisseurs, they do not find a place in books on the subject.
From Professor F. Hirth's monograph on "China and the Roman Orient", we gather that, although the Chinese became well acquainted with glass about the time of the Christian era, there is no doubt that it was not until the fifth century after Christ that they learned how to make it (brought by the sea route from the Roman Empire) and consequently no glass coins bearing Chinese inscriptions can have been made in China prior to this period.
The little that has so far been published about porcelain and glass coins of the Far East is due entirely to the pens of Europeans. The first mention of coins of materials other than the well known metals, is probably that recorded in Vol. VIII of the "Chinese Review", where an article signed "B. G." describes two specimens of earthen-ware coins, procured at Canton with inscriptions in Chinese Seal characters, both incused and in relief, with the value of the "hale tael", an imitation of that well-known Pan Liang series of Chinese ancient round copper coins.
The late Stephen W. Bushnell, in Vol. II of Chinese Art, illustrates and briefly describes three glass medallions in colored glass with truly felicitous inscriptions which he translates as follows: (a) "A succession of first places at three examinations." (b) "May the Celestial Mandarins be propitious to man." (c) "May the Celestial Divinities send sons." These charms are similar in every respect to those treated in this article.
All the glass specimens illustrated and described herein form part of my collection and were picked up personally by me in Korea or have been directly traced to the Hermit Kingdom, which inclines me to deduce that this country is the principal source of production of these talismans, and although Bushnell states that the Chinese wear them strung on their girdles, I have never, while in the Middle Kingdom, been able to come across any destined for that purpose.
Just as the glass objects made by the Chinese are generally of small dimensions not larger than the jadeite or agate carvings which are posed as models so I venture to suggest that these porcelain and glass charms are in imitation of those originally made of jade, ranked by the Chinese as the most precious of the precious stones. The fact that I have come across and been able to pick up while in China several of these charms made in jade, strengthens my supposition. The illustrations numbers "1", "2", "3", and "4" refer to glass medallions, the grounds, either translucent or opalescent, giving an illusory resemblance to the models of which they are probably counterfeit presentments.
The predominant color is of milky white, with the exception of No. 2, of a Nile green shade, similar in all respects to the color most prized in jade ornaments.
The inscriptions, identical with those found on copper and brass charms and amulets, are usually in relief when referring to glass coins, and those illustrated read: 1. "Long Life, Riches and Honor", a very common inscription on Chinese charms and amulets. 2. "One Family in the Entire World", a somewhat ambiguous inscription, seen for the first time as a talisman. 3. "Successively obtaining the first place at the examinations for the second and third degree and at the Palace examination." Meaningless, perhaps, to foreigners, but full of import and good wishes to the aspiring Chinese "literati". This inscription is not uncommon on charms. 4. Two Manchu characters, signifying "Board of Works Mint". This is evidently from the reverse of the coins of the present dynasty which is Manchu.
The remaining two illustrations represent charms made of jade, of doubtful quality, with incused characters, interpreted accordingly. 5. "Life as long as the Pine and Oak", and 6. "May gold and precious stones fill my halls", in seal characters, a wish which might be also shared by all Occidentals.
About the Author
B. Max Mehl (1884-1957) of Forth Worth, Texas, was America's most colorful coin dealer during the first half of the 20th century. This article, "The Glass Coins of China", is from the 20th edition (1921) of his coin catalog, "The Star Rare Coin Encyclopedia" (though mostly complete, this article has been edited for this Web site). Mehl's publications are highly collectible; many may still be obtained for a modest price.
Cite this Page
Bibliography:
Mintmark.com. 2007. The Glass Coins of China.
http://www.mintmark.com/glasscoinschina.html
(accessed xxxx 7, 200x).
In-Text:
(Mintmark.com 2007)
