CHINA. Gold Medallion in the Style of a U.S. 2 1/2 Dollar, 1920.17.6 mm; 2.4 gms. Enigmatic piece featuring a Liberty bust facing left encircled by 13 stars. Blundered "LIBERTY" on coronet, and two Chinese characters meaning "bear foot" below the bust. A rectangular counterstamp with 2 characters appears just to the right of Libertys neck; Reverse: Eagle with shield on breast, legend "LEE HONG GHANG THYE" around, and date 1920 below. A diamond-shaped punch mark is found near the rim at 5 oclock. Perhaps a California Chinese-American Merchant Token of some sort. Remarkably (or not), a Google search revealed a Thye Lee Confectionary currently on Hougang Avenue in the Hougang community of Singapore. Perhaps another clue to the attribution of this item? Wavy surface, once mounted.VERY FINE.
