These coins are genuine ancient Chinese bronze coins minted over a period of two millennia. They are genuine antiquities. Unlike many ancient coins that were struck with dies to form the coin, Chinese Cash were laboriously hand made by casting or molding from molten bronze. Several coins were cast simultaneously in a form that resembles a flattened tree. When the molten bronze was poured into the mold it flowed down a central shaft and out along several "branches" to fill the coin-shaped voids of the molds, thus creating the finished tree. After cooling the molds opened and the coins were cut off of their "sprues", then were filed smooth to erase the cut area. Beautiful examples of an unusual minting process these coins would make an excellent addition to any world coins collection.