East Asian Dragon Coin Appraisal

East Asian Dragon Coin (Likely Japanese or Chinese)

The item is a silver-toned circular coin or medal, likely made of a silver alloy given the typical composition of such historical pieces. Its size appears to be consistent with a standard large-denomination coin, possibly a dollar or yen equivalent. The obverse features a highly detailed central motif of a dragon, depicted with scales, prominent claws, and a flowing mane, coiling around a central, possibly flaming, pearl or orb. The dragon is characteristic of East Asian mythology and is rendered with fine engraving, indicating the craftsmanship. Surrounding the dragon design are various Chinese characters, which are likely script indicating the issuing authority, denomination, and date. The characters '二十二' (twenty-two) are clearly visible at the top, along with '年' (year) and '四' (four), suggesting a date such as 'year 22, month 4' or 'the 22nd year, 4th month of an era'. The rim of the coin has a milled edge, composed of finely reeded lines, which serves both as a security feature against clipping and an aesthetic element. The surface exhibits a moderate level of wear consistent with circulation or age, with some loss of fine detail in the highest relief areas of the dragon and the characters. There is a visible patina, a desirable feature for historical coins, which suggests natural oxidation rather than aggressive cleaning. No significant damage like deep scratches or prominent dents are visible, though minor surface abrasions are present. Considering the iconography and script, this coin is likely Japanese or Chinese, with the prominent dragon motif pointing towards an imperial or national issue. The style period appears to be late 19th to early 20th century, given the design elements and the appearance of the script. The overall condition suggests it has been handled but not severely abused, retaining most of its critical design elements.