How to Identify the 10 Cash (Republic)
A collector's checklist for the Republic of China bronze 10 Cash: reading the faces, legends, size and metal, and spotting look-alikes and fakes.
Read the full 10 Cash (Republic) encyclopedia entry →
Start with the format and metal. A Republic-era 10 Cash is a round, solid (no center hole), machine-struck coin in a brown copper alloy, usually roughly the size of a large modern cent. If your piece has a square central hole and rough cast surfaces, it is an older cast cash, not this milled republican type. A raised rim and crisp pressed relief confirm modern striking.
Examine the obverse: expect a central decorative element (an ornamental rosette, geometric device, or in many issues crossed flags) surrounded by Chinese characters. These characters name the issuing authority (the Republic of China or a specific province) and state the value. Read them, or the position of the denomination characters, to establish what the coin is and who made it.
Turn to the reverse, which on this example shows a diamond-shaped ornamental pattern ringed by an inscription. Many republican coppers place the value here as well, sometimes spelled out in English or romanized letters such as the number and the word for cash. An English legend, when present, is one of the fastest ways to confirm the denomination and narrow the issue.
Use size, weight, and design details as your main diagnostics, since the series covers hundreds of provincial and national varieties that share the same denomination. Measure the diameter and weigh the coin, note the exact central device and the wording of the surrounding legends, and match all of these against a specialized catalog of Chinese republican copper coins to reach the specific mint, date, and variety.
Apply normal authentication caution. Popular or scarce Chinese coins are sometimes reproduced; be wary of pieces with soft, mushy detail, incorrect weight, casting seams or bubbles (a struck coin should not show them), or artificial toning. For common circulated examples the risk is low, but for any coin claimed to be a rare variety, compare carefully with documented specimens and consider professional attribution or grading.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell a struck Republic 10 Cash from an old cast cash coin?
A Republic 10 Cash is round with a solid center, a raised rim, and sharp pressed detail from a coining press. An old cast cash has a square central hole and softer, cast surfaces. The absence of a hole and the crisp relief mark it as the modern republican type.
Which side shows the denomination?
The value in Chinese characters typically appears with the central design and issuer legend, and many issues also show the value on the ornamental reverse, sometimes spelled out in English. Reading both faces confirms it is a 10 Cash.
What details narrow down the exact type?
The central device (rosette, flags, or geometric ornament), the wording of the surrounding legends, any English text, and the coin's diameter and weight are the key diagnostics. Match them against a catalog of Chinese republican copper coins.
How can I spot a fake?
Watch for soft or blurry detail, wrong weight or size, casting seams and bubbles on a coin that should be struck, and artificial toning. Common worn examples are rarely faked, but verify any coin sold as a rare variety against documented specimens.