Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
April 2015 Hong Kong Auction - Sess. A-C 30 Mar-1 Apr 2015
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CHINA. 10 Dollars Pattern, Year 1 (1916). Tientsin Mint. PCGS SP Genuine--Damage, EF Details Secure Holder.
L&M-1028 var.; K-unlisted; KM-unlisted; Hsu-unlisted; cf.WS-0057a; Wenchao-unlisted. Gilt silver. Struck to commemorate the ascension of Yuan Shih-kai to Emperor Hung Hsien. EXTREMELY RARE type with the signature of "L. Giorgi" on the reverse.
Although it is documented that two types were struck of the Yuan Shih-kai 10 Dollars dated 1916, very few numismatists have ever had the opportunity to actually view both types. This includes Eduard Kann, Dr. Giuseppe Ros and Tracey Woodward, all of whom discuss the production of such coins, yet could not confirm the existence of a second type. Tracey Woodward stated, "A second coin was struck under the very close observation of the mint governor, and only very few pieces were made; they were all sent to Peking, accompanied by the dies which, I am informed, were destroyed there." Dr. Giuseppe Ros published in 1917 a similar testimonial in the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, "At the Tientsin mint a die for a gold coin of the value of 10 Dollars, dated: 'The beginning (of the) HUNG HSIEN period' has been engraved, and from it only a limited number of pieces were struck under the strict watch from the mint director for presentation to 'His Majesty.' I am told that the die was afterwards sent to Peking, without even a sample of the piece having been kept at the mint." Eduard Kann cited both Woodward and Ros, mentioning the possibility of this second (or perhaps even first) type existing, calling it "impossible to describe here, or to record its existence." However, Kann does note that very small quantities must have been produced, for the sole purpose of being presented to Yuan Shih-kai and his immediate circle for approval. Having never seen the second type, Kann speculates that the Yuan Shih-kai 5 Dollar Dragon reverse may be the coin that Dr. Giuseppe Ros referred to, however was unable to describe. The existence of this coin proves this is clearly not the case.
It is interesting to note the similarity in fabric to the Yuan Shih-kai Pattern Dollars of 1914 (L&M-72 & 73). While the normal "unsigned" type has a brilliant finish, the type bearing the signature of L. Giorgi is somewhat of a matte brushed finish, consistent of a product intended for presentation purposes. A gouge is present just below Yuan's ear, with various minor surface issues nearby as well. Some wear has removed minor amounts of gilt, exposing the underlying silver.
EXTREMELY RARE and of great historical significance as this pattern issue was struck for presentation to Yuan Shih-kai. Several stains on the reverse.
PCGS SP Genuine--Damage, EF Details Secure Holder.
Estimate: $20000.00- $25000.00
L&M-1028 var.; K-unlisted; KM-unlisted; Hsu-unlisted; cf.WS-0057a; Wenchao-unlisted. Gilt silver. Struck to commemorate the ascension of Yuan Shih-kai to Emperor Hung Hsien. EXTREMELY RARE type with the signature of "L. Giorgi" on the reverse.
Although it is documented that two types were struck of the Yuan Shih-kai 10 Dollars dated 1916, very few numismatists have ever had the opportunity to actually view both types. This includes Eduard Kann, Dr. Giuseppe Ros and Tracey Woodward, all of whom discuss the production of such coins, yet could not confirm the existence of a second type. Tracey Woodward stated, "A second coin was struck under the very close observation of the mint governor, and only very few pieces were made; they were all sent to Peking, accompanied by the dies which, I am informed, were destroyed there." Dr. Giuseppe Ros published in 1917 a similar testimonial in the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, "At the Tientsin mint a die for a gold coin of the value of 10 Dollars, dated: 'The beginning (of the) HUNG HSIEN period' has been engraved, and from it only a limited number of pieces were struck under the strict watch from the mint director for presentation to 'His Majesty.' I am told that the die was afterwards sent to Peking, without even a sample of the piece having been kept at the mint." Eduard Kann cited both Woodward and Ros, mentioning the possibility of this second (or perhaps even first) type existing, calling it "impossible to describe here, or to record its existence." However, Kann does note that very small quantities must have been produced, for the sole purpose of being presented to Yuan Shih-kai and his immediate circle for approval. Having never seen the second type, Kann speculates that the Yuan Shih-kai 5 Dollar Dragon reverse may be the coin that Dr. Giuseppe Ros referred to, however was unable to describe. The existence of this coin proves this is clearly not the case.
It is interesting to note the similarity in fabric to the Yuan Shih-kai Pattern Dollars of 1914 (L&M-72 & 73). While the normal "unsigned" type has a brilliant finish, the type bearing the signature of L. Giorgi is somewhat of a matte brushed finish, consistent of a product intended for presentation purposes. A gouge is present just below Yuan's ear, with various minor surface issues nearby as well. Some wear has removed minor amounts of gilt, exposing the underlying silver.
EXTREMELY RARE and of great historical significance as this pattern issue was struck for presentation to Yuan Shih-kai. Several stains on the reverse.
PCGS SP Genuine--Damage, EF Details Secure Holder.
Estimate: $20000.00- $25000.00