three coins: a young girls story of kidnappings, slavery and romance in 19th century america

The second edition of Three Coins includes over 40 new full-page photographs at the start of every chapter, accompanied by newly crafted graphic elements in the Chapter Headers. These additions collectively enrich and breathe new life into this enduring classic, which recounts a young girl’s quest for freedom and love 140 years ago.

When Ah Ying is kidnapped, she must escape from her life of slavery while being pursued by gangs and missionaries in order to find true love in San Francisco’s Chinatown at the turn of the 20th century. Ah Ying is only 9 years old when she awakens in the hold of a ship bound for America. Sold by her family for a few Chinese yuan, she is beaten and burned as a child slave in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Her defiant survival allows Ah Ying to take control of her life as she finds romance, is rescued by missionaries, and is given a new life at the Mission Home. Life is good until her rescuers become her captors, and she is again forced to flee to be with her beloved Gee Sung. What ensues is a race between her love for Gee Sung, the Tong highbinders who want to enslave her, and the Presbyterian Missionaries who want to save her soul. ＂Three Coins＂ is based on a true story that touches upon the themes of human trafficking, immigration, cultural and racial discrimination, violence, and romance that are as relevant today as they were 140 years ago.