Watch List notes:

CHINA. Szechuan. Pattern 7 Mace 2 Candareens (Dollar), ND (1898). PCGS SP-61 Secure Holder.
39.5 mm. cf.Lin & Ma-345; cf.Kann-145; KM-Pn15; WS-732; Zhang-pg. 09. This impressive Pattern Dollar struck in brass provides a highly interesting window into the history of the modern Chinese minting process. The Ferracute Machine Company out of Bridgeton, New Jersey produced machinery that formed and shaped metal, which eventually led them to produce minting machinery. After successfully selling minting presses to the United States Mint in Philadelphia, the Ferracute Machine Company achieved international status as a manufacturer of minting presses and attracted the attention of the Chinese Government in 1896. This new client requested three fully outfitted mints: two to produce copper coinage at Wuchang in Hupeh Province and Chengtu in Szechuan Province, while the third mint would produce silver coinage at Chengtu. As the provider of the minting presses, Ferracute was also expected (and paid) to furnish all the equipment necessary to set up the proposed mints, including melting furnaces, annealing furnaces, casting equipment, rolling mills, boilers to turn the overhead shafts, all of the apparatus for driving the machinery – shafts, belts, pulleys – and a complete machine shop for maintaining the mint. All of this was in addition to the Ferracute coining and punching presses, as well as the blanking and coining dies for making the coins. In addition to the necessary machinery, Ferracute would send a representative from the company to oversee the set up of the mints in Wuchang and Chengtu. Henry Janvier was selected to oversee this process, and he meticulously recorded his journey across the United States and deep into China through journals, letters and expert photography.

Mr. Janvier began his journey via rail, departing New Jersey on December 30th, 1897. It would take him over three months to travel across the United States, cross the stormy Pacific Ocean to Japan, secure an interpreter and riverboat crew in Shanghai, then navigate the rivers and jungles of inland China to arrive in Szechuan Province. A multitude of setbacks beset Mr. Janvier as he set up the mint in Chengtu, Szechuan, including delayed or missing equipment, rusted machinery, vehicular breakdowns and thievery. The final issue occurred once he had successfully began minting operations at the new mint, the head official for Szechuan Province offered Janvier the position of mint supervisor for five years, along with a substantial salary that increased with every refusal by Janvier. Eventually, the official became threatening on this point, forcing Janvier to leave clandestinely later that night. He managed to wind his way through China back to Shanghai and decided to return to New Jersey by way of Europe. His return sightseeing journey took him from Shanghai by boat to Hong Kong then on to Penang, Malaysia and further to Port Said near the Suez Canal in Egypt. The journey continued on to London, Edinburgh and Dublin before crossing the Atlantic to New York, and finally arriving in New Jersey over ten months after departing. Henry Janvier's success secured the international reputation of the Ferracute Machine Company and his own career, eventually rising to chief engineer and Vice President of the company. The Chengtu Mint in Szechuan Province, eventually switching from coinage to paper money, continued to produce currency until the late 1930's.

This coin may have been minted in the Ferracute New Jersey factory, as a demonstration piece in 1898, just before Janvier set up the mints in Szechuan Province. This VERY RARE pattern piece is extremely well struck with a nice even toning, and is truly a magnificent piece. The obverse design features the iconic standard eastern dragon coiling and flying, surrounded by clouds with a fiery pearl issuing from its mouth. Around the dragon, the upper legend reads "SZECHUAN PROVINCE" with the lower legend stating "7 MACE 2 CANDAREENS" with these legends separated by two rosaces. The reverse of the coin bears an all Chinese legend, which follows the usual pattern, the upper portion stating "Made in Szechuan Province" and the lower legend indicates the denomination of 7 Mace 2 Candareens (Dollar). A pearled border separates the legend from the central inscriptions. The central inscription states: "Kuang-Hsu Yuan-Pao" meaning "Valuable Coin (of the) Kuang Hsu (regime)", with a smaller Manchu inscription in the direct center. Tied with just one other example at this numerical grade, with only one example certified finer by PCGS.

PCGS SP-61 Secure Holder.

Estimate: $25000.00- $35000.00