Some Kind of Foreign Coin Thing

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by kraftblue, Apr 26, 2017.

  1. kraftblue

    kraftblue Well-Known Member

    I don't know where to post this. Picked this up when I went thru a friends house. It is 2 3/8" across and 1/4" thick. Could be Chinese. A magnet does not stick. could be copper or brass base. Any ideas?Comes in a velvet lined box.

    coin1.JPG coin2.JPG coin3.JPG
     
  2. moreotherstuff

    moreotherstuff Izorizent

    I'm guessing a souvenir from the Forbidden Palace, Beijing. Is that Confucius?
     
  3. kraftblue

    kraftblue Well-Known Member

    I will have to google Confucius.. Thanks
     
  4. all_fakes

    all_fakes Well-Known Member

    I bet it is a souvenir coin depicting Confucius and the "Temple of Confucius" in Qufu; also shown on the 5 Yuan coin, below; see https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces13888.html?mobile=0 for that coin.
    The architecture of the Temple of Confucius resembles the Forbidden City in many ways.
    g643.jpg
     
    Asian Fever and judy like this.
  5. kraftblue

    kraftblue Well-Known Member

  6. Asian Fever

    Asian Fever Well-Known Member

    Confucius (born Kong Qiu, styled Zhong Ni) was born in the village of Zou in the country of Lu in 551 B.C., a poor descendant of a deposed noble family. As a child, he held make-believe temple rituals; as a young adult, he quickly earned a reputation for fairness, politeness and love of learning, and he was reputed to be quite tall. He traveled extensively and studied at the imperial capital, Zhou, where he is said to have met and spoke with Lao Zi, the founder of Daoism.
    Upon his return to Lu, he gained renown as a teacher, but when he was 35, Duke Zhao of Lu led his country to war, was routed and fled to the neighboring country of Qi; in the disorder following the battle, Confucius followed. Duke Zhao frequently came to him for advice, but upon counsel of one of his ministers, he decided against granting land to Confucius and gradually stopped seeking his counsel. When other nobles began plotting against Confucius' position, Duke Zhao refused to intervene, and Confucius returned to Lu. But conditions there were no better than before, and Confucius retired from public life to concentrate on teaching and studying.

    At age 50, he was approached by the Baron of Qi to help defend against a rebellion, but he declined. He was later made a city magistrate by the new Duke of Lu, and under his administration the city flourished; he was promoted several times, eventually becoming Grand Secretary of Justice and, at age 56, Chief Minister of Lu. Neighboring countries began to worry that Lu would become too powerful, and they sent messengers with gifts and dancers to distract the duke during a sacrifice holiday. When the duke abandoned his duties to receive the messengers, Confucius resigned and left the country.

    Confucius spent the next five years wandering China with his disciples, finding that his presence at royal courts was rarely tolerated for long before nobles would begin plotting to drive him out or have him killed. He was arrested once and jailed for five days, and at 62 he was pursued, along with his disciples, into the countryside by a band of soldiers sent by jealous nobles, until he was able to send a messenger to the sympathetic king of a nearby country, who sent his own soldiers to rescue them. Once again, Confucius was to be given land but was denied it upon counsel of another high minister. After further wanderings, he eventually returned to Lu at age 67. Although he was welcomed there and chose to remain, he was not offered public office again, nor did he seek it. Instead he spent the rest of his years teaching and, finally, writing. He died at 72.
     
  7. kraftblue

    kraftblue Well-Known Member

    Thanks for the great run down Asian Fever!
     
    judy likes this.
Draft saved Draft deleted
Similar Threads: Kind Foreign
Forum Title Date
Antique Discussion Anyone know this Doll? Kinda Creepy May 25, 2024
Antique Discussion what kind of fossil tooth could this be? May 3, 2024
Antique Discussion Wyat kind doll is it? It is heavy 3 kg and is 55 cm.no sign in the doll. Apr 21, 2024
Antique Discussion Old Rolling Pin What Kind of Wood? Apr 5, 2024
Antique Discussion What kind of dolls is that? Jan 20, 2024

Share This Page