Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
April 2015 Hong Kong Auction - Sess. A-C 30 Mar-1 Apr 2015
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CHINA. 5 Mace Pattern, Year 29 (1903). NGC MS-63.
L&M-2; K-928; KM-Pn294; WS-0017; Wenchao-80 (rarity three stars); Shanghai Museum--Mr. Shi Jiagan's collection-pg. 10#38; Sun-II-2-02. Struck in silver. A VERY RARE pattern piece from one of the attempts to unify China's currency system during the late Qing era. Following the Boxer Rebellion (1900-01) proposals were made to centralize the minting of coins in China and to establish their value based on the gold standard. This series, comprised of five denominations, was prepared with the intention of being a unified coinage for all of China overseen by the Board of Revenue in Peking. The dies were prepared at the Osaka mint and it was expected that there would be a recall of foreign and provincial currencies by Imperial decree, in order to switch to this new standardized system. This plan never came to fruition, as many different interests throughout China would not calmly watch their revenues be superseded by this new centralized issue. All that remains of this aborted reform attempt are the patterns struck for the proposed series of coins, of which this is an example of the second highest denomination. Struck with the reverse die rotated slightly, the dragon shows fine detail and definition, some double striking can be noted on the lettering of the legend. Old envelope toning throughout the surfaces of the coin with gold and light blue hues. Numerically tied with one other piece at PCGS where this series is graded as specimens, with three finer. Unfortunately the NGC population could not be determined. NGC MS-63.
Estimate: $35000.00- $50000.00
L&M-2; K-928; KM-Pn294; WS-0017; Wenchao-80 (rarity three stars); Shanghai Museum--Mr. Shi Jiagan's collection-pg. 10#38; Sun-II-2-02. Struck in silver. A VERY RARE pattern piece from one of the attempts to unify China's currency system during the late Qing era. Following the Boxer Rebellion (1900-01) proposals were made to centralize the minting of coins in China and to establish their value based on the gold standard. This series, comprised of five denominations, was prepared with the intention of being a unified coinage for all of China overseen by the Board of Revenue in Peking. The dies were prepared at the Osaka mint and it was expected that there would be a recall of foreign and provincial currencies by Imperial decree, in order to switch to this new standardized system. This plan never came to fruition, as many different interests throughout China would not calmly watch their revenues be superseded by this new centralized issue. All that remains of this aborted reform attempt are the patterns struck for the proposed series of coins, of which this is an example of the second highest denomination. Struck with the reverse die rotated slightly, the dragon shows fine detail and definition, some double striking can be noted on the lettering of the legend. Old envelope toning throughout the surfaces of the coin with gold and light blue hues. Numerically tied with one other piece at PCGS where this series is graded as specimens, with three finer. Unfortunately the NGC population could not be determined. NGC MS-63.
Ex: Taisei-Baldwin-Gillio Hong Kong Coin Auction Sale 17 featuring the Ng Yin Boon Collection of Chinese Coinage Lot #73, June 11, 1994
W&B Capital Collection.
Estimate: $35000.00- $50000.00