The Battles of Bạch Đằng
The most important lesson to learn from history, is that we do not learn lessons from history.
In the late Tang dynasty, a series of rebellions broke out in what is now Northern Vietnam. Each involved more and more people, until finally they ousted Chinese rule, and formed an autonomous region ruled by the local Khúc clan. In 930 CE, the Southern Han dynasty would invade to recapture the region.
How We Authenticate Coins -- Chữ Nôm
Chữ Nôm was the written language of Vietnam before the adoption of Latin characters with tonal marks (Chữ Quốc Ngữ). It was similar to, but distinct from written Chinese. For example, the character 通 (thông) usually a bit different between the two writing systems -- the stroke to the far left is straighter on Vietnamese coins and tends to zig-zag on Chinese ones. If a coin has Chinese characters, chances are it's from China!
How We Authenticate Coins -- Tooling and Size
Vietnamese coins were produced in many parts of the country, at different times, and under varying economic conditions. At many times in Vietnamese history, there were copper shortages. Compared to Chinese coins (and modern replicas), they vary much more in size, thickness, and shape. Like Chinese coins, Vietnamese coins were made by casting bronze -- modern fakes are made from die-stamped metal. The difference in tooling marks is clearly visible between these two production methods!
How We Authenticate Coins -- Clay
When we select coins, they arrive dusty and covered in clay. This is because they've been buried for hundreds of years.
It's not just a light coating! The outer clay coat is like a caked on dust. As we get nearer to the metal, it becomes more like dried cement, as it fuses with the coin's patina.
Why Vietnamese Coins?
Why do I care so much about Vietnamese coins? It's a valid question -- and if I can't answer it about my own product, why should anyone else care? So let's do this.
How We Authenticate Coins -- Patina
Our authentic coins have traveled though hundreds of years. Usually, buried in clay jars -- or else in shipwrecks. They have not had easy lives!
As part of this exposure to the elements, chemical reactions happen on and near the surface of the coin. This causes discoloration, and the formation of a crust. The exact pattern tells a secret history unique to each coin.
How We Authenticate Coins -- An Overview
This is what people ask me about Artifact, more than anything else. More than everything else.
As it turns out, it's something that I care a lot about -- I still authenticate and process all the coins in all our products myself. No one else even touches them, even when it means I'm scrubbing coins until my fingers bleed. If you own our product, you can be sure I selected your coin personally.