Chapter 618 - 7: The Strange Shop Owner (Part 2)
Moreover, the antique business has never been about authenticity; spending money in vain can only be blamed on one’s own lack of ability. If you ’miss the eye’, it’s rare for anyone to come back demanding compensation.
Even if he did buy a fake, the store would only claim it was selling a crafted item. Even if the police got involved and it went to court, it would be difficult for the buyer to retrieve the money.
After all, all antique replicas fall within the category of crafts.
It’s a consensual transaction. Once the money is in someone else’s hands, it’s not so easy to get it back.
While Chen Zhou explained the fabricated origin of the coins in his hand, he placed the four Gold Coins from his pocket onto the glass display cabinet.
The four Gold Coins in his hand were minted around 1605, issued by James I, and were also known as Noble Gold Coins.
The craftsmanship of the Gold Coins was rather crude, with James I on the front wearing a crown, holding a Treasure Sword and shield. The back featured a toothed gear in the center, a crown-wearing leopard on top, surrounded by decorations.
Each Gold Coin weighed about 7 grams. Since they were issued less than 100 years before Chen Zhou left the island, they still retained the unique luster of gold, shining brightly under the display cabinet lights.
...
Feng Yingxuan had been prepared to introduce China’s ancient coins to the novice, ready to give the customer a proper lesson to dissuade them from entering the antique industry. However, seeing the Gold Coins that Chen Zhou took out, she was dumbfounded.
Her first reaction was—
These four Gold Coins must be fake; they might just be the so-called ’Vietnam sand gold’ coins from a street stall.
Given how absurdly high the price of gold was, just the precious gold and silver jewelry in the store consumed a lot of gold. No one would use valuable gold to make such roughly crafted coins, especially since they were medieval European coins.
However, years of learning and her basic instinct towards antiques told her that whether real or not, these four Gold Coins were at least made of pure gold. Their color looked more vibrant and stable compared to ’sand gold’ or chemically coated ’gold ornaments,’ which was the unique color of gold.
"Could it really be gold?"
Picking up a Gold Coin with a skeptical mind, the heavy weight increased the likelihood that it was real.
Feng Yingxuan carefully observed the details on the Gold Coin, looking for traces of modern craftsmanship but found none.
Both the patterns and text on the Gold Coin indicated that it was indeed made using traditional craftsmanship without any modern machinery.
However, the state of the coin was too pristine, making it look too new compared to dull ancient coins, affecting Feng Yingxuan’s judgment.
There are quite a few scholars and experts deeply researching ancient Chinese currency in the country, but very few study European money. Naturally, Feng Yingxuan was not an expert in European currency collection, and after fiddling for a long time, couldn’t draw any conclusions.
"So, what do you think, boss?
Are they real?
How much are they worth?"
Chen Zhou’s question made Feng Yingxuan blush—
Her skin was not particularly fair to begin with; when she blushed, she looked like a ripe Fuji apple, with her lively eyes making her quite adorable.
"Um... I’m not very familiar with European currency. I can only tell that it’s traditionally crafted. If you want to authenticate them, you’d better find other reliable experts.
If you’re not in a hurry for results, you can go to an authoritative grading company to authenticate and grade your coins.
Such as PCGS, though domestic agencies generally only take on grading for ancient Chinese currency. You might have to put in more effort to authenticate European money."
Returning the Gold Coins to the table, pushing them in front of Chen Zhou, Feng Yingxuan added.
"Make sure not to go to small companies or unofficial experts, many of them are scams.
Your four Gold Coins look like they’re made of pure gold. If they swap your coins for fakes after taking them, you’d suffer a huge loss."
Chen Zhou nodded, putting away the four Gold Coins on the table.
"Can you estimate how much each of these four Gold Coins might be worth? I’ve checked online; they’re 17th-century currency."
"17th century? That’s the Qing Dynasty... about four hundred years ago now. If they’ve survived, they should be worth tens of thousands each..."
Feng Yingxuan muttered to herself, then waved her hand.
"I’m just guessing blindly; I don’t know. If you’re selling, it’s best to find someone reliable.
But if they’re family heirlooms and you’re not in dire need of money, I wouldn’t recommend selling them.
Such well-preserved ancient currency has significant appreciation potential, and family heirlooms are memories of the elders, keeping them at home also serves as a remembrance."
Hearing this, Chen Zhou remained expressionless but couldn’t help but criticize internally.
"Even if they’re family heirlooms, they wouldn’t pass down boxes and boxes of them. Besides, if I knew reliable people, would I be here in your shop?"
...
"Alright, thanks."
The thoughts in his mind would never show on his face. Under Chen Zhou’s 25-year-old facade was a much older soul.
After thanking her and pocketing the Gold Coins, he did not leave directly. Instead, he pointed at the dyed puppy shelf piece on the table and inquired about the price.
Seeing Chen Zhou insistent on buying this piece, Feng Yingxuan frowned, picked up the bright yellow piece and tucked it into a book.
"I forgot to tell you, wearing dyed jade for a long time is harmful to your body. Regardless of its price, you shouldn’t buy it.
Besides, I didn’t put it here to sell; it’s a bet between me and someone else...
Oh, why am I telling you this!"
While explaining, the light at the store door dimmed, and a plump, middle-aged man in a white shirt walked in.
He seemed surprised to find a customer in the store and gave an ’oh’ when he saw Chen Zhou standing by the display case before coming forward.
Glancing over Chen Zhou’s attire and the items in the display, the middle-aged man chuckled.
"Xiao Xuan, you actually managed to sell your big yellow?
You didn’t find a classmate to act just to trick me and get my seed material, did you?"
Hearing this, Feng Yingxuan was somewhat angry and gave the middle-aged man a fierce glare.
"You think I’m like you? I wouldn’t use such deceitful tactics.
And by the way, you were supposed to watch the store for only an hour, why did you go out all morning and just come back now? Hurry up and give me my pay!"
Seeing her reach out for payment, the middle-aged man quickly shook his head.
"I don’t have your pay, but you can take any piece in the store to cover your wage."
"They’re all fake goods; I don’t care for them..."
Feng Yingxuan muttered under her breath, took her book, and was about to walk out of the display case.
...
The conversation between this older man and younger woman left Chen Zhou feeling a bit awkward in between.
He wanted to leave the shop immediately, but thinking of the jade piece the girl hid, he was a bit reluctant—
The quality of the jade mattered less; he was simply fond of that bright color and the lifelike little dog.
Lai Fu was his most loyal companion on the isolated island, and the time spent with it was the most unforgettable memory after returning to modern times.
Now money wasn’t a problem; even if it was carved from priceless Yellow Jade Seed Material, he wanted a small piece to keep by his side, just like when Lai Fu hadn’t left.
With years of tempering, Chen Zhou’s skin was thick when needed, as sturdy as a city wall.
Even if the two were talking, he could still forcibly interject.
"Miss, may I have your contact information? I’d like to commission you to carve a small dog; the labor cost is negotiable."
Before Feng Yingxuan could respond, the middle-aged man reacted first.
"Young man, are you really impressed by her carving skills? If you want a piece, come to me; my skills are top-notch!"
"Talk about it; your fingers are as thick as zucchini..."
The middle-aged man quickly faced Feng Yingxuan’s relentless ridicule—
She had already put her books and pen back into her bag. After mocking the middle-aged man, she pulled out her phone with a pink case, fiddled a bit, then displayed a QR code.
"Scan me, and feel free to ask if you have any questions. You seem so honest that I’m afraid you might get scammed.
Especially now with so many swindlers..."
Feng Yingxuan gave a pointed look at the middle-aged man.
Standing aside, Chen Zhou took out his phone upon hearing this, casually glancing at her phone, a rare look of surprise appeared on his face—
The pink phone case turned out to be a Peppa Pig design, and it was very similar to the first mysterious reward he received on the island.