This is a replica of an ancient Chinese coin tied to a red Chinese silk cording embellished with a mystic knot. The four characters is the name of the currency "zhou yuan tong bao". This coin is supposed to be made in the 1st century, post Tang (Dynasty) era (907 - 960) or the "5 Dynasties and 10 Kingdoms" era. What makes this coin special is that, around 955, one of the emperors dismantled and melted 3,336 bronze Buddha statues to make these coins, for which it's believed to contain nimbus and has healing power. Many people now believe it repels evil energies.
