Reference
Thierry CMV : Page 36, Figure 9 (not 8 as written), Plate 1, cf Figure 9
Note:
Thierry (1987) originally regarded small Thiên Thánh Nguyên Bảo coins as rebel issues but in CMVS (pages 13-14) he demonstrated that all suggested attributions are unlikely. They are currently unattributed. However the present coin, if struck rather than cast, must be of 19th century date (see Thierry 2012, cited here).
Reference
Note:
Hartill (GCC) places a cast coin with similar style to this (having regular 天, long-arm寶 and Vietnamese style seal type 元) among his category “Small Copper – Distinct Calligraphy Group 1. (“An Phap Type”), He attributes them to the period of the Mac in the North between c. 1540 and 1590. However it seems equally possible that they could have been cast any time between the 17th and 19th centuries. If this example is struck rather than cast as suggested by Thierry (JONS, 2012, p 39) then it can only date from the second half of the 19th century.
Reference
Note:
Thierry reported this coin as a struck pattern, although his unpublished notes indicated some uncertainty as to whether it was really struck or not. If it is struck then his statement that it dates from the 19th century must be accepted.
Reference
Note:
Thierry (2012c) provides more information regarding the series of machine-made cash coins in the HCR. He suggests that those coins which lack a ticket are nonetheless part of the C. T. Gardner collection and while unable to pinpoint the makers he suggests they were all made during the closing years of the 19th century or the opening years of the 20th. A date of 1870 – 1902 has been used for this database pending more precise information. Born in 1842, Christopher Gardner would be likely to have retired from his diplomatic duties at or before reaching age 60, in 1902.
This specimen
Yes
