Bali - old Chinese coins

For the Balinese Hindu society, a Chinese coin goes beyond a payment tool. Old coins are still used as ceremonial utensils, decorations, magical and spiritual devices, as well as being precious collectors’ items.

Ancient Chinese coins hold strong memories and history for many Balinese people.
A coin featuring Arjuna, one of the five Pandawa brothers from the Mahabharata epic, is believed to have the power to attract many beautiful women. Meanwhile, a coin showing Bima, Arjuna’s elder brother, may have power to increase one’s physical prowess. One of his oldest and most rare coins is from the Han dynasty, dated 2,200 years ago.

But as usual here, there are many fake old Chinese coins circulating in Bali with 99 percent similarity to the original ones.

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