Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
August 2016 Hong Kong Auction - Sess. A-D 15-17 August 2016
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KOREA. Pattern 5 Mun in Copper, Year 495 (1886). PCGS SP-64 BN Secure Holder.
KM-Pn10; K&C-25.3; Bank of Korea-378; Da Guang Se-13-13. EXTREMELY RARE. Population of one with none finer at PCGS and NGC; the single finest graded example. Pattern Coin for the first modern machine struck coinage series of Korea. This series came to being as a result of the proposed attempt at improving the Korean monetary system. At the time of it's inception predominantly square holed copper coins or "yopchon" were used in circulation. Although "yopchon" was a perfectly acceptable form of payment for local transactions, it was not widely accepted by foreigners. The government then contracted a German by the name of Mollendorf, to act as superintendent of the Chonwankuk Government Mint. Mollendorf in turn contracted engineers from the Osaka Mint in Japan in order to help modernize the mint and the coinage system. The 1886 pattern series came as a result of this attempt. Originally patterns were produced and presented in the following denominations: Gold 20 Warn, 10 Warn, 5 Warn, 2 Warn and 1 Warn; Silver 1 Warn, 5 Niang, 2 Niang, 1 Niang and 1/2 Niang; Copper 20 Mun, 10 Mun, 5 Mun, 2 Mun and 1 Mun. Although patterns for every denomination were produced, only the 1 Warn, 5 Mun and 10 Mun were struck for circulation. This pattern is of the 5 Mun. Unlike most of the patterns of this series, it was actually produced for circulation. Well struck with razor sharp dragons and a fabulous iridescent sheen comprised of blue, green, rose, cinnamon and amber toning over nearly flawless surfaces. A museum quality piece in every respect. PCGS SP-64 BN Secure Holder.
Estimate: $14000.00- $18000.00
KM-Pn10; K&C-25.3; Bank of Korea-378; Da Guang Se-13-13. EXTREMELY RARE. Population of one with none finer at PCGS and NGC; the single finest graded example. Pattern Coin for the first modern machine struck coinage series of Korea. This series came to being as a result of the proposed attempt at improving the Korean monetary system. At the time of it's inception predominantly square holed copper coins or "yopchon" were used in circulation. Although "yopchon" was a perfectly acceptable form of payment for local transactions, it was not widely accepted by foreigners. The government then contracted a German by the name of Mollendorf, to act as superintendent of the Chonwankuk Government Mint. Mollendorf in turn contracted engineers from the Osaka Mint in Japan in order to help modernize the mint and the coinage system. The 1886 pattern series came as a result of this attempt. Originally patterns were produced and presented in the following denominations: Gold 20 Warn, 10 Warn, 5 Warn, 2 Warn and 1 Warn; Silver 1 Warn, 5 Niang, 2 Niang, 1 Niang and 1/2 Niang; Copper 20 Mun, 10 Mun, 5 Mun, 2 Mun and 1 Mun. Although patterns for every denomination were produced, only the 1 Warn, 5 Mun and 10 Mun were struck for circulation. This pattern is of the 5 Mun. Unlike most of the patterns of this series, it was actually produced for circulation. Well struck with razor sharp dragons and a fabulous iridescent sheen comprised of blue, green, rose, cinnamon and amber toning over nearly flawless surfaces. A museum quality piece in every respect. PCGS SP-64 BN Secure Holder.
Estimate: $14000.00- $18000.00