Heritage World Coin Auctions
Hong Kong Signature Sale 3043 11-12 Dec 2015
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French Indo-China
French Colony silver Cut Cancelled Trial Piastre 1931 UNC, Paris mint, KM-Unl., Lec-306.7 (this coin). With probable traces of machine grease at the reverse edge. The number '1' countermark is positioned between the cheek and jaw. From the first series of 12 cut cancelled trial strikes known to exist. This specimen is 1 of only 3 cut examples to have the number '1' countermark. Of extreme rarity.Ex. R. Taylor Collection★★★Intro Text★★★AN EXCEPTIONAL SERIES OF NEWLY PUBLISHED DIE AND MACHINE TRIAL STRIKES OF THE 1931 SILVER FRENCH INDOCHINA PIASTRE1931 was a transitional year for French Indochina coinage seeing the first design change since the creation of the Liberty seated type 'Piastre de Commerce' (Trade Dollar) in 1885. The engraver Lindauer had the task of creating the new 'Liberty Head' 1931 Silver Piastre. A one year type for which rare patterns; essais and pieforts in silver as well as presentation strikes in Aluminum are known. Unlike the patterns struck to present the finished coin, these previously unknown trials were struck uniquely for the purpose of testing and adjusting; the new dies, die pressure, alignment and the mint equipment before coinage. Once tested and inspected, they were cancelled by cutting and perforation then normally destroyed. We are very fortunate to have survivors of this little known stage of the minting process.The 2014, French/English edition of 'Les Monnaies et Jetons de l'Indochine Francaise' (Coins and Tokens of French Indochina) is the first to publish these trial strikes, probably made by the engraver Lindauer himself. The archives indicate that after Lindauer's selection as engraver, he was under pressure to continually furnish new dies because the mintage of the circulation strikes was entirely dependent on the number of dies completed. Presentation of the series:The 21 trial strikes can be divided into 3 main categories: Firstly, 12 cut-cancellation trial strikes with different rotated dies and some with planchet weight inscriptions. Secondly, 8 perforated-cancellation trial strikes in coin alignment (including a unique trial noted '600' for 0.600 of silver metal fineness) and lastly a unique uncancelled complete specimen countermarked '51'.Observations concerning the countermarks:Of the 21 trials, 16 have countermarked numbers ranging from 00 to 72. The countermarks 00 to 4 are present on the cut cancelled specimens, with varying die alignments indicating that these could be the first series of machine trial strikes. The countermarks 7 to 72 correspond to the second series of perforated cancelled specimens. They are all struck in coin alignment, indicating that the engraver was closer to completing his die tests and equipment adjustments.The un-countermarked specimens are probably errors of omission. Due to their rarity and like the recently published and sold specimens from the engraver Mercier's collection, each of these Lindauer trail strikes have a unique Lecompte catalogue reference number.Heritage is pleased to present 3 examples of these extremely rare and previously unlisted trial strikes of the French Indochina 1931 Piastre.
Estimate: 4000-6000 USD
French Colony silver Cut Cancelled Trial Piastre 1931 UNC, Paris mint, KM-Unl., Lec-306.7 (this coin). With probable traces of machine grease at the reverse edge. The number '1' countermark is positioned between the cheek and jaw. From the first series of 12 cut cancelled trial strikes known to exist. This specimen is 1 of only 3 cut examples to have the number '1' countermark. Of extreme rarity.Ex. R. Taylor Collection★★★Intro Text★★★AN EXCEPTIONAL SERIES OF NEWLY PUBLISHED DIE AND MACHINE TRIAL STRIKES OF THE 1931 SILVER FRENCH INDOCHINA PIASTRE1931 was a transitional year for French Indochina coinage seeing the first design change since the creation of the Liberty seated type 'Piastre de Commerce' (Trade Dollar) in 1885. The engraver Lindauer had the task of creating the new 'Liberty Head' 1931 Silver Piastre. A one year type for which rare patterns; essais and pieforts in silver as well as presentation strikes in Aluminum are known. Unlike the patterns struck to present the finished coin, these previously unknown trials were struck uniquely for the purpose of testing and adjusting; the new dies, die pressure, alignment and the mint equipment before coinage. Once tested and inspected, they were cancelled by cutting and perforation then normally destroyed. We are very fortunate to have survivors of this little known stage of the minting process.The 2014, French/English edition of 'Les Monnaies et Jetons de l'Indochine Francaise' (Coins and Tokens of French Indochina) is the first to publish these trial strikes, probably made by the engraver Lindauer himself. The archives indicate that after Lindauer's selection as engraver, he was under pressure to continually furnish new dies because the mintage of the circulation strikes was entirely dependent on the number of dies completed. Presentation of the series:The 21 trial strikes can be divided into 3 main categories: Firstly, 12 cut-cancellation trial strikes with different rotated dies and some with planchet weight inscriptions. Secondly, 8 perforated-cancellation trial strikes in coin alignment (including a unique trial noted '600' for 0.600 of silver metal fineness) and lastly a unique uncancelled complete specimen countermarked '51'.Observations concerning the countermarks:Of the 21 trials, 16 have countermarked numbers ranging from 00 to 72. The countermarks 00 to 4 are present on the cut cancelled specimens, with varying die alignments indicating that these could be the first series of machine trial strikes. The countermarks 7 to 72 correspond to the second series of perforated cancelled specimens. They are all struck in coin alignment, indicating that the engraver was closer to completing his die tests and equipment adjustments.The un-countermarked specimens are probably errors of omission. Due to their rarity and like the recently published and sold specimens from the engraver Mercier's collection, each of these Lindauer trail strikes have a unique Lecompte catalogue reference number.Heritage is pleased to present 3 examples of these extremely rare and previously unlisted trial strikes of the French Indochina 1931 Piastre.
Estimate: 4000-6000 USD