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PERU: LOT of 5 brass gambling tokens, ca. 1860, from a "China Town" area of Lima, Peru

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / World Coins - The Americas Start Price:85.00 USD Estimated At:100.00 - 150.00 USD
PERU: LOT of 5 brass gambling tokens, ca. 1860, from a  China Town  area of Lima, Peru
SOLD
110.00USD+ buyer's premium (22.00)
This item SOLD at 2025 Feb 24 @ 13:56UTC-08:00 : PST/AKDT
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PERU: LOT of 5 brass gambling tokens, ca. 1860, from a "China Town" area of Lima, Peru; includes tokens of Chinese merchants, 3 of which have Chinese characters (incuse or relief) on obverse and Arabic numerals on reverse; another machine-struck with Chinese characters and signature on obverse, uniface except for interesting small chopmark on reverse; and the last with 3 Chinese characters within a Star of David and uniface except for a few small digs on reverse; average circulated grades, in consignor's holders, viewing recommended; retail value $200, lot of 5 pieces, ex Daniel Frank Sedwick May 2016 Treasure Auction 19 Lot 1669 (part).

NOTES FROM THE ORIGINAL WRITE-UP FROM THE SEDWICK AUCTION:
"Chinese immigration to Peru started in 1849, and by 1857 more than 100,000 Chinese workers resided in Peru, mostly employed in sugar refineries and the guano industry. The Central Market neighborhood of La Concepcion in Lima grew on commercial ties with California and Hong Kong. Gambling was commonplace and yet heavily sanctioned by the conservative authorities, just as it had been during colonial times. A recent author on criminality in Peru during those times (Whipple, 2009) notes that "regarding the gambling, the 'decent' people of Lima would find in the growing population of Chinese immigrants during the 2nd half of the 19th century another group to blame for these vices." A rare and interesting set, obtained from a major Peruvian collection mostly formed in the early part of the 20th century. (Historical background supplied by Carlos Jara.)"