I love the texture and the blurred side to this, Michelle. It gives it interest because in full focus, it would been a bit boring. WITH the focus being blurred on the one side, it's really given it some depth and perspective. It's always difficult to photograph coins so, really nicely done! Kudos!
It took me a while, but I figured out it was a coin before reading your notes. Funny, it also took me a while to understand that it was a Chinese character. I kept seeing a little stick man. :/ I like the light in this image.
If you could get the whole character in focus, that would help a little.
This image kinda leaves me feeling 'so what?' The technicals are pretty much there, but I don't see any real reason for this image to exist. Sorry if that sounds a little harsh, but I like it when an image has a little more...thesis?